Braised Chicken Thights with Slow Cooked Marinara

  • 6
  • 30 mins
  • 90 mins

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 lb. ripe tomatoes, cored & chopped (about 5 cups)
  • 2 garlic cloves, crushed
  • 1/2 cup chopped yellow onion (from 1 small onion)
  • 3 Tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 (3 inch) piece Parmesan cheese rind
  • 1 bunch fresh basil stems, plus 1/4 cup basil leaves
  • 6 boneless, skinless chicken thighs (about 2 lbs)
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 2 tsp kosher salt, divided
  • 1 Tbsp. olive oil
  • 1 lb. uncooked fettuccine (or RICE), cooked according to package directions
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • NOTE: NEED TO ADD MORE SALT, PEPPER & BASIL, MAYBE A SPLASH OF RED WINE AND WOULD BE BETTER SERVED WITH RICE INSTEAD OF FETTUCCINE.

Preparation

Step 1

1. Combine tomatoes, garlic, onion, tomato paste, Parmesan rind, and basil stems in a 5 to 6 qt slow cooker.
2. Sprinkle chicken thighs evenly with pepper and 1 tsp of salt. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium high. Add chicken to skillet and cook until golden brown, about 2 minutes per side. Transfer to slow cooker, and nestle into tomato mixture. Cover and cook on LOW until tomatoes have broken down and chicken is very tender and done, 2 to 3 hours.
3. Transfer chicken to a cutting board to cool slightly. Remove and discard basil stems and Parmesan rind from slow cooker. Stir in remaining 1 tsp salt. Process mixture using an immersion blender until mostly smooth, about 30 seconds. Shred chicken into 1 inch pieces, and stir into slow cooker.
4. Toss past with tomato-chicken mixture and divide evenly among 6 bowls. Top with basil leaves and grated Parmesan.