Ingredients

  • 6 slices bacon, diced
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 tablespoon canola oil
  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 8 bone-in, skinless chicken thighs
  • 1 medium Spanish onion, halved and thinly sliced
  • 1 large red bell pepper, halved and thinly sliced
  • 2 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
  • 1/2 serrano chile, finely diced
  • 1 heaping tablespoon Curry Mix (recipe follows)
  • 1 cup dry white wine
  • 2 cups homemade chicken stock (see page 220)
  • 1 (28-ounce) can plum tomatoes, drained well and coarsely chopped
  • Scant 1/4 cup dried currants
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons chopped fresh thyme leaves
  • 2 teaspoons honey, or more if needed
  • 1/3 cup coarsely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves, plus more for garnish
  • Slivered almonds, lightly toasted and chopped, for garnish
  • 3 tablespoons ancho chile powder
  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 2 teaspoons ground coriander
  • 2 teaspoons ground fennel
  • 2 teaspoons ground turmeric
  • 1 teaspoon ground cardamom
  • 1 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1 teaspoon ground chile de arbol
  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Method

  • Preheat the oven to 325F.
  • Cook the bacon in a large, deep ovenproof saute pan over medium-high heat until golden brown and crisp.
  • Remove with a slotted spoon to a plate lined with paper towels.
  • Add the butter and oil to the rendered bacon fat in the pan, and heat over high heat, until it begins to shimmer.
  • Meanwhile, put the flour in a shallow bowl and season liberally with salt and pepper.
  • Season the chicken on both sides with salt and pepper, dredge in the flour, and tap off any excess.
  • Add the chicken to the saute pan and sear on both sides until golden brown, about 4 minutes per side.
  • Remove to a plate.
  • Add the onion and bell pepper to the pan, season with salt and pepper, and cook until soft, about 5 minutes.
  • Add the garlic and the serrano chile, and cook for 1 minute.
  • Stir in the curry mix and cook for 1 minute.
  • Add the wine and boil until reduced by three-quarters.
  • Add the chicken stock, bring to a simmer, and boil for a few minutes to reduce slightly.
  • Stir in the tomatoes, currants, thyme, and honey, season with a little salt and pepper, and bring to a simmer.
  • Nestle the chicken thighs into the pan, and cover it with a tight-fitting lid.
  • Braise in the oven for 35 minutes.
  • Remove the lid, return the pan to the oven, and cook for 15 minutes.
  • Remove the chicken to a platter and tent loosely with foil to keep warm.
  • Place the saute pan on the stove over high heat, and bring the sauce to a boil.
  • Cook for a few minutes to reduce slightly.
  • Then season with salt, pepper, and honey if needed, and stir in the parsley.
  • Spoon the sauce over the chicken and top with the bacon, almonds, and more parsley.
  • Combine all the spices in a small bowl and mix together thoroughly.