Harissa Chicken with Caramelized Leeks and Fennel

I took this idea from epicurious. This recipe will make restaurant quality food in your own home in a single skillet (with a few side dishes to help hold stuff). Use a well seaoned cast iron or non stick skillet with the chicken and be patient with thighs browning. Starting them in a cold pan allows their fat to render slowly and crisps the skin. Harissa is made into a schmaltz with the hot chicken fat and drizzled over the chicken. Leeks provide an oniony flavor without being overpowering or sweet. The recipe makes 4 thighs which "serves" 4 people, but realistically it's so good that I eat 2 and so it feeds 2-3 people. Unfortunately this recipe doesn't scale well due to the cold skillet chicken so it's not a good dish for a crowd.
Harissa Chicken with Caramelized Leeks and Fennel
I took this idea from epicurious. This recipe will make restaurant quality food in your own home in a single skillet (with a few side dishes to help hold stuff). Use a well seaoned cast iron or non stick skillet with the chicken and be patient with thighs browning. Starting them in a cold pan allows their fat to render slowly and crisps the skin. Harissa is made into a schmaltz with the hot chicken fat and drizzled over the chicken. Leeks provide an oniony flavor without being overpowering or sweet. The recipe makes 4 thighs which "serves" 4 people, but realistically it's so good that I eat 2 and so it feeds 2-3 people. Unfortunately this recipe doesn't scale well due to the cold skillet chicken so it's not a good dish for a crowd.
Cooking Instructions
- 1
Heat oven to 425°F
- 2
Begin by salting the chicken and laying it skin side down in a cold skillet. Arrange the potatoes into the void spaces. Place over medium heat (3.8/6) for 18-25 minutes until the chicken skin browns and releases itself from the pan. This is the most patient part. If the chicken doesn't come off with relative ease using a spatula, leave it cook.
- 3
While the chicken is cooking, prepare the leeks. Remove any shriveled outter leaves and slice the leeks lengthwise and wash them under water to remove any sand in the leaves.
- 4
Cut the dark green tips off the leeks leaving the light green and white parts. Slice the leeks and add to a bowl
- 5
Pick the fronds off the fennel and save them. We'll use them as a garnish later.
- 6
Cut the stalks off the fennel and discard.
- 7
Thinly slice the first 1/3 of the bulb and add to the leeks. Add the garlic to the leeks as well.
- 8
Slice the remaining leeks as thin as possible. If you have a mandolin, now is the time to use it. 1/16 inch slices. Place in another bowl. We'll dress this later as a raw salad on top of the chicken.
- 9
When the chicken releases from the pan, turn the heat off, remove the chicken and potatoes to a plate, leaving the rendered fat in the pan.
- 10
Add the harissa paste to the pan of hot chicken fat and stir to make a schmaltz.
- 11
Put the harissa schmaltz into a small bowl. Add 2 Tbsp of lemon juice and stir.
- 12
Return the pan to medium heat, add some olive oil and the leeks, fennel, and garlic. Season with salt and sprinkle the sugar on top. Carmelize the leeks over ~20 min, adding a bit of water if they begin to stick and burn.
- 13
When the leeks have cooked down and caramelized, add the chicken and potatoes to the skillet, skin side up. Roast ~10 min until the chicken thighs are cooked (165°F). Remove from oven.
- 14
Toss the fennel with a little salt, some pepper, 1 Tbsp lemon juice, and a drizzle of olive oil.
- 15
Add the fennel salad to the skillet. Drizzle the schmaltz over the chicken and garnish with the fronds and serve at the table in the skillet.
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