CHICKEN CACCIATORE WITH CRISP POLENTA

CHICKEN CACCIATORE WITH CRISP POLENTA image

Number Of Ingredients 11

3 tablespoons olive oil
8 skinless chicken thighs (about 3 pounds total)
Coarse salt and ground pepper
10 ounces white mushrooms, trimmed and quartered
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 can (28 ounces) whole tomatoes in juice, broke up with a spoon
1 cup dry white wine, such as Sauvignon Blanc
2 medium onions, each cut into 8 wedges
4 garlic cloves, sliced
1/3 cup pitted green olives, halved
1 tube (16 ounces) plain prepared polenta, sliced into 12 rounds

Steps:

In a 5-quart Dutch oven or heavy pot, heat 2 tablespoons oil over medium-high. Season chicken with salt and pepper. Working in two batches, sear chicken, meaty side down, until browned, 6 to 8 minutes; transfer to a plate (chicken will cook more in the next step). Add mushrooms to pot; cook, stirring occasionally, until browned, 2 to 3 minutes. Add flour and cook, stirring, 1 minute. Add tomatoes (with their juice), wine, onions, garlic, olives and chicken (with any juices). Bring to a boil; reduce to a simmer and cook until chicken is cooked through, 15 to 20 minutes. Season stew with salt and pepper. While stew is cooking, heat broiler. On a rimmed baking sheet, brush both sides of polenta slices with remaining tablespoon of oil; season with salt and pepper. Broil, without turning, until deep golden brown, 10 to 15 minutes. Serve chicken cacciatore over polenta.