BRAISED CHICKEN WITH TOMATOES AND OLIVES

Braised Chicken with Tomatoes and Olives image

Yield Makes 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 11

8 chicken thighs with skin and bones (2 1/2 lb)
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 medium onion, finely chopped
2 large garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme
1 (14- to 15-oz) can crushed tomatoes in purée
1/2 cup Kalamata or other brine-cured black olives, pitted and quartered lengthwise
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Garnish: fresh thyme leaves
Accompaniment: spaghettini with garlic and lemon

Steps:

Pat chicken dry and season with salt and pepper. Heat oil in a 12-inch heavy skillet over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking, then brown chicken in 2 batches, about 8 minutes, transferring as browned to a plate.
Pour off all but 1 tablespoon fat from skillet. Add onion, garlic, and thyme to fat remaining in skillet and cook over moderately low heat, stirring, until softened, about 3 minutes. Stir in tomatoes, olives, salt, and pepper and return chicken to skillet. Simmer, covered, turning chicken occasionally, until chicken is cooked through, about 25 minutes.