Best Chicken Stew Wpolenta Recipes

Spanish Chicken Stew with Manchego Polenta image

Provided by Rachael Ray : Food Network

Time 55m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 15

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 pound boneless skinless chicken thighs, trimmed and cut into chunks
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 1/2 teaspoons paprika or smoked paprika
1/2 pound Spanish chorizo, sliced
1 large onion, quartered then thinly sliced
4 garlic cloves, chopped
1 cup white or red Rioja wine
1 (28-ounce) can stewed tomatoes, lightly drained
1/2 cup sliced piquillo peppers, or chopped pimientos
1/2 cup coarsely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
3 cups chicken stock
1 cup quick-cooking polenta
2 tablespoons butter
1 cup grated Manchego cheese

Steps:

Heat the extra-virgin olive oil in a cast iron skillet or large pan over medium heat. Season the chicken thighs with salt, pepper, to taste, and the paprika. Brown the chicken for a couple minutes on each side, then add the chorizo and brown for a couple minutes. Add the onions and garlic and cook for 5 minutes more. Stir in the wine to deglaze the pan, then add the tomatoes, peppers and parsley. Reduce the heat to a simmer.
In a medium pot, bring the stock to a boil over high heat. Slowly add the polenta and whisk until thickened, about 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in the butter and cheese, then spoon the polenta into shallow bowls and make a well in the center. Fill the polenta-lined bowls with the stew and serve.

Mediterranean Chicken Stew image

Yield serves 4

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breast halves, cut into 3/4-inch chunks
Coarse salt and fresh ground pepper
3 teaspoons olive oil
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 can (15.5 ounces) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
4 plum tomatoes, cored and cut into 1/2-inch pieces (2 cups)
2 tablespoons chopped pitted kalamata olives (about 5)
1 teaspoon white-wine vinegar
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
Polenta (recipe page 360), for serving

Steps:

Season the chicken with 1 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. In a large nonstick skillet, heat 2 teaspoons of the oil over medium-high heat. Add the chicken, and cook, turning occasionally, until golden, 3 to 4 minutes. Transfer to a plate.
Reduce the heat to medium-low; add the remaining teaspoon oil to the skillet. Add the garlic, and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add the chickpeas and 1 cup water. Bring to a boil; cook until the liquid is reduced by half, about 2 minutes.
Add the tomatoes; cook over medium heat until starting to break down, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the olives, vinegar, and chicken along with any accumulated juices to the pan; toss until warmed through, about 1 minute. Stir in the parsley. Serve over the polenta.
This recipe can also be made with 1 1/2 pounds peeled and deveined shrimp instead of chicken; replace the chick peas with cannellini beans.