Chipotle Braised Chicken

Tender chicken pieces braised in a flavorful chipotle sauce with caramelized onions, garlic, and fresh cilantro. This Mexican-inspired dish combines smoky heat with bright lime for a delicious main course.

6 servings
57 min

Ingredients

  • 1 whole large onion
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 1 leaf bay leaf
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
  • tablespoon olive oil
  • 3 pounds chicken parts
  • 1 teaspoon chipotle chile powder
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
  • ¼ cup chopped cilantro
  • 6 wedges lime wedges

Cooking Instructions

  1. 1.

    Cook onion, garlic, and bay leaf in butter and 1/2 tablespoon oil with 1/8 teaspoon salt in a 12-inch heavy skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until onion is beginning to brown, about 10 minutes. Transfer to a plate.

    10 min

  2. 2.

    Pat chicken dry and season with 1 teaspoon salt. Brown chicken in remaining tablespoon oil in 2 batches, 5 to 6 minutes per batch, transferring to a plate as browned.

    12 min

  3. 3.

    Discard all but 2 tablespoons fat from skillet, then stir in chile powder and onion mixture and cook, stirring, 1 minute. Stir in water and bring to a simmer, scraping up brown bits.

    5 min

  4. 4.

    Add chicken and cook, covered, over low heat, turning chicken once, until just cooked through, 25 to 30 minutes. Transfer chicken and onions with a slotted spoon to a platter. Skim off and discard fat from sauce, then boil until slightly thickened. Stir in lime juice and cilantro and spoon sauce over chicken.

    30 min

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