COCOA-ORANGE BRAISED CHICKEN

Cocoa-Orange Braised Chicken image

Provided by Halcyon Eve

Time 35m

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 14

2 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs, trimmed of fat
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 onion, peeled and chopped (about 1/2 lb)
2 garlic cloves, peeled and minced
1 1/2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder (not Dutch process cocoa)
1 1/2 tablespoons chili powder
1 teaspoon sugar
3/4 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (preferably Ceylon)
1 1/4 cups reduced-sodium fat-free chicken broth, divided
2 oranges, washed and patted dry (about 1 1/2 lbs total)
1/4 cup orange muscat dessert wine (or use a sweet white wine, if you can't find the dessert wine)
salt
Italian parsley (sprigs for garnish, also called flat-leaf parsley)

Steps:

Rinse chicken and pat dry. Cut into 1 1/2 inch chunks.
Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook, turning occasionally, until lightly browned, about 6-8 minutes. Transfer with a slotted spoon to a rimmed plate.
Add onion, garlic, cocoa, chili powder, sugar, cumin, and cinnamon to pan. Cook, stirring often, until onions are limp and spices are fragrant, about 1-2 minutes.
Add 1/2 cup broth to pan and stir to loosen and bits stuck to bottom. Simmer until onion is limp, about 5 minutes.
Return chicken to pan. Using a zester or fine grater, grate enough peel (orange part only, no white) from one of the oranges to make 1 tsp zest. Juice the orange into a liquid measuring cup. Add zest and 1/2 cup juice to pan (save any remaining juice for another use). Cover and simmer over low heat until chicken is no longer pink in center, about 8 minutes (cut to test).
Meanwhile, cut and discard peel and membrane from remaining orange. Thinly slice crosswise into rounds; set aside.
When chicken is done, skim any fat from sauce and discard. Add wine and bring to a boil over high heat. Add salt to taste. Pour into a serving dish and garnish with orange slices and sprigs of parsley.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 394.8, Fat 16.6, SaturatedFat 3.5, Cholesterol 188.9, Sodium 226.5, Carbohydrate 15.1, Fiber 3.8, Sugar 8.6, Protein 46.5