Tomato-Braised Chicken with Mushrooms and White Wine

Braising renders chicken exceptionally tender and juicy, but the preparation here is only half the story. The other half is about the deep, rich flavors of smoky bacon, stewed tomatoes, and earthy mushrooms—with a splash of dry white wine.

This is a one-skillet meal made with simple, everyday ingredients and a little bit of time—about one-and-a half hours start to finish. And the taste is well worth it. 

Serves 4

Ingredients

• 2 slices of thick-cut bacon
• 1 whole frying chicken, about 3 pounds, cut into 8 serving pieces (breasts, legs, thighs, and wings), skin removed
• sea salt
• freshly ground black pepper
• olive oil, as needed
• 2 shallots, sliced into thin rings
• 1/3 cup dry white wine
• 1 28-oz can stewed tomatoes, with juice
• 12 oz mushrooms, thickly sliced
• chopped flat-leaf parsley, for garnish

Preparation

1. Heat a large, deep skillet over medium heat and add the bacon. Cook until the bacon renders about 1 tablespoon of fat but is not crispy, 3-4 minutes per side. Remove from the skillet and drain on paper towels. When cool, tear into small pieces.
2. Season the chicken with salt and pepper and add to the drippings in the skillet. (If there is less than 1 tablespoon of fat in the skillet, add a little olive oil.) Sear until beginning to brown, about 4 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate.

Chicken Beginning to Sear

Chicken after Turning

1. Add the shallots and white wine to the skillet and cook, scraping up brown bits, 2 minutes.
2. Add the tomatoes with their juice and season with salt and pepper. Bring to a simmer, coarsely breaking up the tomatoes. Simmer 2 minutes.
3. Add the cooked bacon and stir to combine.

Shallots and Wine

Tomatoes and Bacon Added

1. Return the chicken and any accumulated juices to the skillet and nestle into the tomato mixture. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and braise 30 minutes. Turn the chicken pieces over and braise, uncovered, 15 minutes longer.

Chicken Beginning to Braise

Chicken after 30 Minutes

1. Stir the mushrooms into the skillet and continue braising, uncovered, another 15 minutes.

Mushrooms Added

Cooked Chicken and Sauce

To serve, place 2 chicken pieces in each of 4 shallow bowls and spoon tomato-mushroom sauce on top of and around the chicken. Garnish with parsley and serve hot.