PIQUILLO PEPPER CHICKEN WITH SPANISH RICE

Piquillo Pepper Chicken with Spanish Rice image

Yield serves 4

Number Of Ingredients 13

1/2 cup sliced almonds
3 cups chicken stock
1 small handful of golden raisins
3 tablespoons EVOO (extra-virgin olive oil)
1 teaspoon ground turmeric
2 pinches of saffron threads or approximately 1 small envelope saffron powder
1 1/2 cups white rice
4 boneless skinless chicken breast halves, 6 ounces each
Salt and pepper
1 small jar piquillo peppers in water, 4 to 5 peppers, or 2 jarred roasted red peppers, drained and sliced
1/2 cup dry sherry
2 tablespoons butter, chilled and cut into pieces
1/2 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves, a couple handfuls, finely chopped

Steps:

In a small pan over medium heat, lightly toast the almonds and reserve.
In a small saucepan, bring the broth, raisins, 1 tablespoon of the EVOO, the turmeric, and the saffron to a boil. Stir in the rice, cover the pot, and simmer over low heat for 18 minutes, or until the rice is cooked through and the liquid is absorbed.
While the rice cooks, in a large skillet, heat the remaining 2 tablespoons of EVOO, over medium-high heat. Season the chicken liberally with salt and pepper, add to the skillet, and cook for 6 minutes on each side. Transfer to a plate and keep warm. Add the piquillo peppers to the pan and heat through, about 2 minutes. Add the sherry and boil for 1 to 2 minutes until slightly reduced. Add the butter and half the parsley and turn off the heat, stirring to melt the butter. Spoon the sauce over the chicken.
Add the remaining parsley and the almonds to the rice and fluff with a fork. Serve the rice alongside the chicken.