BRAISED CHICKEN WITH CILANTRO, LEMON AND DRIED FIGS

Braised Chicken with Cilantro, Lemon and Dried Figs image

Yield Serves 4

Number Of Ingredients 10

2 tablespoons all purpose flour
1 3 1/2- to 3 3/4-pound chicken, skin and fat removed, cut into 12 pieces
4 teaspoons olive oil
2 cups chopped onions
3 large garlic cloves, minced
1 14 1/2-ounce can low-salt chicken broth
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
8 dried Calimyrna figs, stems trimmed, cut in half lengthwise
Lemon wedges

Steps:

Place flour in large resealable plastic bag. Season flour with salt and pepper. Add chicken to bag; seal bag. Shake bag to coat chicken lightly with flour.
Heat 2 teaspoons oil in large nonstick pot over medium-high heat. Working in batches, add chicken and sauté until brown on all sides, about 7 minutes per batch. Transfer chicken to plate. Add remaining 2 teaspoons oil to pot and reduce heat to medium. Add onions and garlic and sauté until golden and tender, about 10 minutes. Stir in broth, 1/2 cup cilantro and lemon juice and bring to boil. Add figs and chicken with any accumulated juices to pot. Cover and simmer until chicken is tender, about 35 minutes.
Using slotted spoon, transfer chicken to bowl and cover with foil to keep warm. Boil juices in pot until thickened to sauce consistency, about 5 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Pour sauce over chicken. Sprinkle remaining 2 tablespoons cilantro over and serve with lemon wedges.