Sweet carrots and onions, earthy celery and savory garlic are very simple ingredients that give this dish of braised chicken a magical flavor. A big part of the final flavor profile is browning of chicken prior to braising. Caramelized skin not only adds a ton of flavor, but also gives the dish its appealing color. This braised chicken is very simple and rustic yet very flavorful and exceptionally tasty. It’s hard to mess it up and even novice cooks will have a lot of success making it. You can use different parts of chicken to make it, and even chicken breasts won’t taste dry and chalky. However, dark meat is the best choice here. This recipe, in many ways, resembles my highly popular Rustic Slow Cooker Chicken. However, braising adds a new dimension to chicken taste and you will notice the difference immediately. If I were to take sides here, braised chicken wins without much doubt.
Importance of using a proper braising cookware
It goes without saying, but to make braised chicken you must use a good quality braiser. Speaking from own experience, a baking pan covered with foil won’t suffice. Braisers are designed to cook food evenly from the bottom and the top, and to release just enough steam during cooking. There is a general consensus that copper braisers are best, but they are expensive. A relatively inexpensive cast iron braiser will do the job with aplomb.
Taking it a step further
After browning the chicken, take it out and add the vegetables to the braiser. Giving the vegetables a quick sear will add even more flavor and enhance the taste of the braised chicken. But don’t stop there. Once the vegetables are soft and slightly caramelized, add some butter and flour and make a roux. The nutty flavor of flour browned in butter will add another layer of flavor. The roux will thicken the liquids in the braiser, resulting in a tasty, luscious gravy that will go so well with the chicken. Braising takes time so don’t rush it. While the chicken will be perfectly cooked after an hour or so of cooking, it will taste best after spending two and half to three hours in the oven. The meat will be fall-off-the-bone tender and succulent.
Serving braised chicken
Braised chicken can be served with a variety of side dishes but try it with a bowl of white jasmine rice. The two go exceptionally well together.
