CHICKEN THIGHS WITH SQUASH, YAMS, AND DRIED APRICOTS

Chicken Thighs with Squash, Yams, and Dried Apricots image

Number Of Ingredients 12

2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon dried thyme
8 skinless boneless chicken thighs
1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
2 cups chopped onions
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 1/2 cups 1/2-inch cubes peeled butternut squash (about 12 ounces)
1 1/2 cups 1/2-inch cubes peeled yams (red-skinned sweet potatoes; about 12 ounces)
1 cup dried apricot halves
1 28-ounce can diced tomatoes in juice
3 cardamom pods
3 whole cloves

Steps:

Mix cumin and thyme in small bowl. Sprinkle chicken with spice mixture, then salt and pepper. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in large deep nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add onions; sauté until golden, about 5 minutes. Add garlic; stir 1 minute. Push onion mixture to side of skillet. Add remaining 1/2 tablespoon oil to skillet. Working in batches, add chicken and cook until beginning to brown, about 1 1/2 minutes per side. Transfer chicken to bowl after each batch. Return chicken to skillet. Scatter onion mixture, squash, yams, and apricots over chicken. Pour tomatoes with juices over; bring to boil. Stir in cardamom and cloves. Reduce heat to medium-low; cover and simmer until chicken and vegetables are tender, about 30 minutes. Uncover and simmer until juices are slightly reduced, about 3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Serve.