Chicken and Vegetables

This video provides a recipe for Italian Chicken and Potatoes (also known as Pollo alla Contadina or “Farmer’s Style Chicken”), a simple, one-pan family meal.
Ingredients

  • Chicken: Chicken legs (drumsticks) or thighs (or a mix) [00:33].
  • Vegetables: Carrots, celery, and onion (roughly chopped) [01:12].
  • Potatoes: Yukon Gold potatoes (peeled and cubed) [03:00].
  • Aromatics & Flavorings: * Olive oil [00:33].
  • A “knob” of butter [01:19].
  • Tomato paste [01:42].
  • Frozen or fresh peas (about 1 cup) [03:25].
  • Fresh basil (a generous amount) [04:29].
  • Seasoning: Salt and pepper [02:09].
  • Liquid: 1 cup of water (more if needed) [02:22].

    Cooking Instructions

  • Brown the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Sauté the chicken legs/thighs until they pick up some nice color on all sides [00:33].
  • Sauté Vegetables: Add the chopped carrots, celery, and onion to the pan with the chicken. Add a knob of butter and cook for a few minutes until the vegetables soften [01:12].
  • Add Tomato Paste: Stir in the tomato paste and cook for a few more minutes to build depth of flavor. Season with salt and pepper [01:42].
  • First Simmer: Pour in 1 cup of water, cover the pan, and cook on low heat for 30 minutes [02:22].
  • Add Potatoes and Peas: After 30 minutes, nestle the cubed potatoes into the pan. Add the frozen peas. If the pan looks dry, add a little more water [03:00].
  • Second Simmer: Cover and cook for another 30 minutes until the potatoes are tender and fully cooked [03:49].
  • Final Seasoning: Test a potato for doneness and taste for salt. Add more salt if needed [03:54].
  • Finish with Basil: Stir in a generous amount of fresh basil. Be careful while mixing so you don’t mash the tender potatoes [04:29].
  • Serve: Serve the chicken and potatoes together (ideally with a loaf of bread to soak up any remaining flavors) [05:46].
    Tip: Using chicken legs or thighs is recommended because they remain tender and flavorful even with long cooking times [05:13].

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