Lemon, herb & garlic braised chicken with butter beans

INGREDIENTS

6 chicken thigh cutlets, bone in skin on

1/4 cauliflower broken into small florets

1 tsp each smoked paprika, garlic powder & dried oregano

1/4 cup white wine vinegar

Juice & rind of two lemons, plus one lemon sliced into 1cm rounds

5-6 cloves of freshly crushed garlic

1/3 cup EVOO, plus more for roasting

A Bouquet Garni with herbs like rosemary, oregano, lemon thyme/thyme, sage and tarragon (or any mixture) - plus picked oregano leaves to garnish

2-3 cups bone broth or stock

400g tin butter beans, rinsed

S&P, to taste

METHOD

Preheat fan oven to 210 degrees

Roast your chicken in a preheated oven at 220C first by seasoning chicken pieces with S&P, dried herbs and spices & drizzle with 2 tbsp of EVOO. Toss chicken pieces so they’re seasoned evenly & place skin side up in a single layer into a lightly oiled dutch oven or heavy based pot. Pour the vinegar around the pieces & pop in the oven uncovered for about 30 minutes or nicely browned.

While the chicken is roasting - whisk together the LJ & rind, garlic & 1/3 cup EVOO in small bowl - season to taste with S&P. Set aside.

Once chicken is beautifully browned, remove from oven & place chicken pieces onto another plate while you deglaze the pot with most of the the chicken broth. Be sure to scrape all the bits that have stuck to the bottom with a wooden spoon for extra flavour

Decrease oven to 190 degrees.

Put the chicken back into the pot & jam the cauliflower, butter beans & lemon wedges around it. Pour oven the lemon & garlic sauce and then add the fresh herbs/bouquet to the pot. Pour a little more broth in if the chicken is sticking out too much. Place in the oven for another 40-45 mins - if starting to brown to much, cover with foil or a lid.

Serve by dividing out the chicken pieces, cauliflower and beans onto shallow bowls, spoon over the braising liquid & garnish with picked oregano leaves. Drizzle with more EVOO, a squeeze of lemon juice & serve with blanched greens like green beans & broccolini.

Buon appetito x