ONE PAN SPANISH CHICKEN AND RICE

INGREDIENTS

5 chicken thighs, bone in and optional skin onSalt and freshly ground black pepper1 teaspoon garlic powder1 tablespoon olive oil1 large onion, chopped6oz | 160g (6 pieces) shortcut bacon trimmed of all fat, chopped (or smoked ham)3 garlic cloves, minced2 teaspoons sweet paprika½ teaspoon crushed saffron threads (or ¾ teaspoon imitation saffron powder is fine to use)2 vine ripened tomatoes, diced (or 1 small can diced tomatoes including juice)1 cup jarred fire roasted peppers in garlic (Piquillo), cut into strips1½ cups water mixed with 2 teaspoons vegetable stock powder (or use chicken broth)½ cup dry white wine *See Notes1½ cups long-grain white rice¾ cup frozen peas (not thawed)Chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley, for garnish

INSTRUCTIONS

Preheat an oven to 200C | 390F. Wash and pat chicken dry with a paper towel. Season with salt, pepper and garlic powder. Heat a small amount oil in a 10-12 inch cast iron pan over medium-high heat until hot but not smoking. Sear chicken thighs skin-side down, turning once until golden brown on both sides, (about 3 minutes each side). Transfer chicken to a plate.Pour out half of the fat from skillet and add onion and bacon. Fry, stirring, until onion has softened and bacon has crisped (about 5 minutes). Add the garlic, paprika and saffron; cook until fragrant. Add tomatoes and peppers, fry until soft. Stir through the stock (or broth) and wine, stirring all ingredients to combine well. Salt to season (if needed)Add rice and allow to simmer, uncovered, for about 5 minutes, while stirring occasionally. Return the chicken and any juices from the plate to the pan; cover with a double layer of foil and transfer to the oven to bake for 40 minutes.Uncover the pan and check that rice is tender and the liquid has been absorbed. Change oven setting to grill/broil (on medium-high heat – depending on your oven). Transfer chicken pieces to a clean plate; stir peas through the rice, covering them with the hot rice as much as possible; place the chicken back on top of the rice and grill/broil for about 10 minutes OR until the chicken is golden and crisp, and the peas are cooked through. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley.

NOTES
If you don’t have a cat iron skillet, any heat proof pan would work OR cook first in a normal frying pan, then transfer over to an oven proof baking dish.
*The wine can be replaced with more stock or broth if you like, but wine adds a beautiful flavour to the rice.