Description
Country Captain Chicken, a classic Southern dish, brings spicy-sweet flavors from India to American tables. Warm, aromatic spices and tender chicken create a comforting meal you’ll savor with each delicious bite.
Ingredients
- 12 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
- 3 cups chopped green pepper (about 3 medium peppers)
- 2 cups chopped yellow onion (about 2 medium onions)
- 2 (14.5-oz) cans chopped tomatoes, undrained
- ½ cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley, plus more for garnish
- ½ cup raisins
- ¼ cup butter, divided
- ¾ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tbsps vegetable oil
- 1 ½ tbsps curry powder
- 2 tsp kosher salt, divided
- 2 garlic cloves, minced (about 2 tsp)
- 1 tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp paprika
- ½ tsp ground nutmeg
- ¼ tsp cayenne pepper
- 6 cups hot cooked rice
- Toasted slivered almonds
Instructions
- Seasoning Preparation: Blend flour, paprika, cayenne, and salt in a large zipper freezer bag, creating a zesty coating for the chicken thighs.
- Chicken Coating: Thoroughly shake chicken thighs in the seasoned flour mixture, ensuring complete and even coverage.
- Searing Technique: Heat Dutch oven on medium, melt oil and butter, then carefully brown chicken thighs skin-side down until golden and crisp, about 6-7 minutes per side.
- Vegetable Medley: Using the same drippings, sauté parsley, onions, bell peppers, garlic, curry powder, black pepper, nutmeg, remaining butter, and salt until onions turn translucent and fragrant.
- Sauce Development: Add raisins and tomatoes to the vegetable mixture, bringing to a quick boil before reducing heat and nestling browned chicken thighs into the sauce.
- Simmering Process: Cover and cook for 15 minutes, then uncover and continue cooking until chicken reaches 165°F (74°C), developing rich, complex flavors.
- Serving Presentation: Plate chicken over rice, generously ladle sauce, and garnish with toasted almonds and fresh parsley for a vibrant, aromatic finish.
Notes
Manage Chicken Coating: Shake chicken in seasoned flour mixture thoroughly to ensure even, consistent coverage for maximum flavor absorption.
Control Oil Temperature: Maintain medium heat while browning chicken to achieve golden, crispy skin without burning or undercooking.
Watch Vegetable Sauté: Continuously stir vegetables and spices to prevent burning and develop deep, complex flavor profile.
Check Chicken Doneness: Use meat thermometer to confirm internal temperature reaches 165°F, guaranteeing safe and perfectly cooked chicken thighs.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: British
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 120mg