WINE-BRAISED CHICKEN WITH APRICOTS

Wine-Braised Chicken with Apricots image

Provided by Ree Drummond : Food Network

Time 2h40m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 17

2 tablespoons olive oil
4 chicken hind quarters
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
8 cloves garlic, peeled
4 carrots, cut into large chunks
2 red onions, cut into quarters
2 cups dry white wine (any kind)
2 cups chicken stock
16 dried apricots
4 sprigs rosemary
Cheese Grits, recipe follows
Freshly chopped parsley, for garnish
3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
3/4 cup quick grits
2 cups grated sharp Cheddar
4 ounces cream cheese
2 tablespoons salted butter

Steps:

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
Add the olive oil to a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Season the chicken with salt and pepper. When the oil is hot, place the chicken pieces skin-side down in a single layer in the pot. Cook on both sides, turning several times, until the skin is browned, about 4 minutes. Remove to a plate and set aside.
Add the garlic, carrot chunks and onion quarters, followed by the wine, stock, apricots and rosemary. Stir together, then return the chicken to the pot. Bring to the boil, cover and braise in the oven until the chicken and vegetables are tender, about 2 1/2 hours.
Serve the chicken over Cheese Grits with the onions, carrots, garlic and apricots, making sure to get a spoonful or two of the cooking liquid. Garnish with parsley and serve.
Bring the chicken broth to a boil in a saucepan over medium heat. Slowly stir in the grits, then return to a boil and simmer for 3 to 4 minutes.
Turn down the heat to low and stir in the Cheddar and cream cheese. Cook until the Cheddar is melted and the cream cheese is incorporated into the mixture, another 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in the butter and keep warm until ready to serve.