CHICKEN WITH SHALLOTS AND MORELS

Chicken with Shallots and Morels image

Yield Makes 4 main-course servings

Number Of Ingredients 8

3 tablespoons rendered chicken fat (schmaltz), duck fat, or vegetable oil, divided
1 4-pound free-range organic chicken, backbone removed, cut into 8 pieces
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup minced shallots
1 pound fresh morel mushrooms
1 cup dry white wine
1 cup low-salt chicken stock
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream

Steps:

Melt 2 tablespoons chicken fat in a large heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Season chicken generously with salt and pepper. Add chicken to skillet and cook, turning once, until golden brown, about 6 minutes per side. Transfer chicken to a plate. Reduce heat to medium. Add remaining chicken fat to skillet. Add shallots and sauté until soft, about 2 minutes. Add mushrooms and sauté until they begin to release liquid, about 1 minute. Using a slotted spoon, transfer mushrooms to a plate. Add wine to skillet and boil until reduced by half, about 2 minutes. Add stock; bring to a boil. Return chicken to skillet, cover with lid slightly ajar, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer until chicken is cooked through, about 20 minutes.
Transfer chicken to a platter. Return mushrooms to skillet; add cream. Simmer, uncovered, until sauce thickens slightly, about 5 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Pour sauce over chicken and serve.