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Braised Chicken with White Asparagus and Morel Sauté with Crème Fraîche

5.0

(1)

Recipe information

  • Yield

    Makes 6 Servings

Ingredients

6

large chicken leg-thigh pieces (about 5 1/2 pounds total)

2

tablespoons finely grated lemon peel

2

tablespoons fresh thyme leaves

2

tablespoons chopped fresh Italian parsley plus 6 sprigs

4

tablespoons (1/2 stick) butter, divided

1

tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

1

cup sliced onion

1

cup sliced leeks (white and pale green parts only)

1

/2 cup dried morels (about 3/4 ounce)

2

bay leaves

1

cup dry white wine

1

/4 cup dry Sherry

4

cups low-salt chicken broth

White Asparagus, Morels, and Leeks

1

/2 cup crème fraîche or sour cream

Need to make a substitution?

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Toss chicken pieces with peel, thyme, and chopped parsley in large bowl. Cover and refrigerate at least 4 hours or overnight.

    Step 2

    Let chicken pieces stand at room temperature 15 minutes. Sprinkle with salt and pepper; let stand 15 minutes more.

    Step 3

    Preheat oven to 325°F. Melt 2 tablespoons butter with oil in large skillet over medium-high heat. Working in 2 batches, add chicken pieces, skin side down; cook until deep brown, about 5 minutes. Turn chicken over; reduce heat to medium and cook 2 minutes. Arrange in single layer in large ovenproof pot. Pour off all but 4 tablespoons drippings from skillet. Add onion, leeks, morels, and bay leaves to skillet; sauté over medium heat until vegetables are golden, about 7 minutes. Add wine and Sherry; increase heat to high and boil until liquid is reduced by half, about 2 minutes. Add broth; bring to boil. Add 6 parsley sprigs. Pour vegetables over chicken. Cover pot with plastic wrap, then foil. Bake until chicken is very tender, about 1 1/2 hours.

    Step 4

    Increase oven temperature to 400°F. Transfer chicken pieces to rimmed baking sheet; roast in oven until brown, about 15 minutes.

    Step 5

    Meanwhile, strain vegetable-broth mixture into medium saucepan. Press on solids to extract as much liquid as possible. Boil liquid until reduced to 3 cups, about 15 minutes. Whisk in remaining 2 tablespoons butter. Season with salt and pepper.

    Step 6

    Arrange chicken on large platter. Spoon reduced juices over. Arrange white asparagus, morels, and leeks over and around chicken. Top each chicken leg with dollop of crème fraîche and serve.