SPANISH CHICKEN WITH SPICY LEMON RICE

Spanish Chicken with Spicy Lemon Rice image

Provided by Sandra Lee

Time 4h30m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 16

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3 tablespoons flour
2 tablespoons paprika
1 tablespoon garlic powder
Salt and freshly ground pepper
6 chicken thighs (about 1 1/2 pounds)
1/4 cup canola oil
One 14.5-ounce can diced tomatoes
2 green bell peppers, diced into 2-inch pieces
1 onion, sliced into thick pieces
2 tablespoons tomato paste
2 cups chicken broth
1 cup rice
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
Zest and juice from 1 lemon
1/2 cup pitted green olives (with pimientos)
Special equipment: slow cooker

Steps:

In a large zip-top bag, mix together the flour, paprika, garlic powder and some salt and pepper. Add the chicken and toss to coat completely.
In a large saucepan over medium heat, heat the canola oil. Add the chicken and brown on all sides, 3 to 4 minutes per side. While the chicken is cooking, to a slow cooker add the tomatoes, peppers and onions. Top with the chicken thighs.
In same skillet used to brown the chicken, add the tomato paste and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Add the chicken broth and bring to a simmer, stirring to scrape any browned bits off the bottom of the pan. Pour over top of the chicken in the slow cooker. Cook on low for 4 hours, or until the chicken is extremely tender.
In a medium pot, combine 2 cups water, the rice, red pepper flakes, lemon zest, juice of half the lemon and a pinch of salt. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer and cook, covered, until the rice is tender and has absorbed all the liquid.
To serve, spoon the rice onto a deep-sided platter and ladle the Spanish chicken and vegetables over top. Garnish with the olives and squeeze over the remaining lemon juice. Reserve 2 chicken thighs and 1 cup of the vegetables for Round 2 Recipe - Pita Pile on with Spicy Yogurt Sauce.