Chicken With Sweet Wine & Garlic

Total Time: 1 hr 45 mins Preparation Time: 30 mins Cook Time: 1 hr 15 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 4
• 2 tablespoons seasoned flour
• 1 chicken, about 3lb 5oz, jointed into 8 pieces
• 4 -5 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 shallots, finely chopped
• 7/8 cup sweet wine, such as sauternes or 7/8 cup marsala
• 1 1/2 cups chicken stock
• 2 teaspoons dijon mustard (optional)
• 1 sprig parsley
• 1 sprig thyme
• 1 sprig bay leaf tied with string
• 1 head garlic, 8-12 cloves
• 2 ounces butter
• 7 ounces chestnut mushrooms
• 3 tablespoons heavy cream
• lemon juice, if needed

Recipe

• 1 tip the flour into a large food bag. add the chicken pieces, two at a time, and shake well to coat evenly. heat 2 tbsp oil in a large pan, add a few pieces of chicken and fry on all sides until well browned. you'll need to do this in batches and you may need a touch more oil or fat. remove the pieces to a large saucepan or flameproof casserole.
• 2 add 1 tbsp oil to the pan, add the shallots and fry gently until softened, but not browned. add the wine and allow to bubble until it is reduced a little. add the stock, herb bundle, mustard if using and seasoning and bring to the boil. pour over the chicken.
• 3 cover the pan tightly and simmer for 45 mins until the chicken is tender and the sauce thickened and reduced.
• 4 meanwhile, separate the garlic head into individual cloves and put in a small pan with water to cover. bring to the boil, then cover and simmer for 20-25 mins until the garlic is tender. drain and cool under running cold water. peel the garlic.
• 5 heat half the butter and a splash of oil in a frying pan. add the mushrooms and cook quickly over a moderate heat until just softened. tip into a bowl. wipe out the pan and add the remaining butter and a splash of oil. add the garlic and fry gently, shaking the pan until lightly browned. season lightly.
• 6 stir the mushrooms and thre cream into the chicken and bring to the boil. simmer for 5 mins, then taste and add more seasoning and a little lemon juice if it needs it. spoon the chicken and sauce onto a warm platter and scatter with garlic.