Braised chicken thighs with olives and pancetta

These braised chicken thighs with olives, pancetta and our Rao’s caramelized onions sauce are a burst of Mediterranean flavour. Use the fragrant pan sauce to accompany pasta or rice. For a finishing touch, garnish with fresh olives and herbs.

Portions : 4 servings
Preparation time : 10 minutes
Cooking time : 1 hour
Storage : 5 days

Braised chicken thighs with olives and pancetta
  • Ingredients

    • 4 chicken thighs
    • Salt and pepper to taste
    • 30ml (2 tbsp) all-purpose flour
    • 30ml (2 tbsp.) olive oil
    • 75g (1/2 cup) pancetta cut into cubes or bacon
    • 1 jar of Rao’s Caramelized Onion Sauce
    • A dozen (1/3 cup) pitted Kalamata olives
    • A dozen (1/3 cup) pitted green olives
    • 45ml (3 tbsp) chopped fresh parsley
  • Directions

    1. Pat the chicken thighs dry with a paper towel and season them with salt and pepper.
    2. Place the chicken pieces on a plate and sprinkle all surfaces with flour.
    3. In a large stewpot, pour the olive oil and sear the chicken thighs on both sides until they are golden brown, about 10 to 12 minutes over medium-high heat to avoid burning the meat. Once golden, reserve the chicken thighs on a plate.
    4. Add the pancetta and cook for about 1 to 2 minutes.
    5. Add Rao’s Caramelized Onion Sauce to the pan, along with the Kalamata and green olives. Place the chicken thighs in the sauce and bring to a simmer.
    6. Cover and cook for about 50 minutes over low heat. Remove the cover for the last 10 minutes of cooking.
    7. Add the parsley and serve.

Tips and tricks

  • Accompany this dish with couscous or white rice.
  • The flour helps dry the chicken skin for better coloring and thickens the sauce during cooking.
  • Fat is a transmitter of flavors. For a healthier choice, cook the chicken with the skin on and remove it once cooking is finished.