Nicoise Chicken Stew With Tomatoes And Black Olives

Ingredients

some in a skillet
some salt and pepper
3 pound chicken
3 tablespoons olive oil
12 onions
1/2 teaspoon thyme
1 sprig thyme
1/4 shallot
2 garlic
2 pound cans italian tomatoes
1/2 cup dry wine
6 parsley stems
1 bay leaf
6 peppercorns
5/8 cup pitted black nicoise olives
1 lemon juice to
1 tablespoon oil over moderate heat until ho the onions
2 tablespoons salt and pepper

Instructions

Drain off all but 2 tablespoons of fat from the pan and add the shallots and garlic, cooking over moderate heat for 30 seconds. Stir in the tomatoes, wine, and cheesecloth bag and add the onions, chicken skin side up, and any juices that have accumulated on the plate. Bring the liquid to a boil, simmer the mixture, covered partially, for 20 minutes. Simmer the mixture, uncovered, for 15 minutes, or until the breast pieces are tender, and transfer the breast pieces to a plate. Simmer the remaining chicken and onions for 15 minutes more, or until they are tender, transfer them to the plate, and discard the cheesecloth bag. Cook the sauce over moderately high heat, stirring, for 10 to 15 minutes, or until it is thickened, add the chicken, onions, olives, and lemon juice and cook the stew, covered, over very low heat for 3 minutes, or until it is heated through. (The stew may be made 1 day ahead. Let the stew cool, uncovered, and chill it, covered. Reheat the stew, covered, over low heat, adding water if necessary.)