mediterranean chicken and farro

1 tablespoon olive oil
2 1/2 pounds bone-in, skin-on
chicken thighs (6 to 8 thighs)
Kosher salt and freshly ground
black pepper
1 medium red onion, chopped
(1 cup)
3 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
1/2 teaspoon crushed red
pepper flakes
1 cup pearled farro
1/2 cup dry white wine
2 cups low-
sodium chicken stock
3/4 cup (oil-packed) sun-dried tomatoes, drained and sliced (4 ounces) 1/2 cup pitted kalamata olives,
halved lengthwise (3 ounces)
1 lemon, zested and halved
1/3 cup crumbled feta (1 1/2 ounces)

instructions:

Step 1 - Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

Step 2 - Heat a large Dutch oven over high heat and add the olive oil. Pat the chicken thighs dry and season with salt and pepper on both sides. When the oil is hot, add the chicken thighs, skin-side down, and cook, undisturbed, until golden brown, 6 to 8 minutes. Flip the chicken, cook for 2 more minutes and remove to a plate. (The chicken will not be cooked through at this point.) Pour off the excess fat from the Dutch oven, leaving behind 2 tablespoons of it.

Step 3 - the heat to medium high, add the onions, garlic and red pepper flakes and cook, stirring often, until softened, about 3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Stir in the farro until combined. Add the wine and cook for 1 minute, scraping up the brown bits from the bottom with a wooden spoon. Add the chicken stock and bring to a simmer, about 2 minutes. Stir in the sun-dried tomatoes and olives. Place the chicken on top, skin-side up, in a single layer and add any residual juices from the plate.

Step 4 - Cover the Dutch oven and bake until the farro is tender, most of the liquid has evaporated and the chicken is cooked through, 30 to 35 minutes.

Step 5 - Meanwhile, add the lemon zest, feta and dill to a small bowl and toss to combine.

Step 6 - Remove the Dutch oven from the oven and squeeze the juice of the zested lemon over the top of the dish. Sprinkle with the feta and dill mixture and serve.

grandpa’s thoughts:

OK grandpa’s, this dish was amazing! There are so many flavors that work together for a delightful Mediterranean treat. It’s easy to cook and the Farro was so yummy. You will repeat this for your family dinner, I promise.

It’s also nice to use the Dutch Oven.