Chicken Provencal with Herbs de Provence Recipe

6 boneless, skinless chicken thighs 

3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

1 small onion finely chopped

6 clove garlic minced 

1 anchovy fillet minced 

1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper 

1 cup dry white wine 

One 14 ½ can diced tomatoes drained

1 cup low-sodium chicken broth

2 ½  tablespoons tomato paste 

1 ½ tablespoon chopped fresh thyme (1 Tbsp dried)

1 teaspoon chopped fresh oregano (½ tsp dried)

1 teaspoon Herbs de Provence 

1 Bay Leaf

1 teaspoon grated lemon zest (⅓ tsp dried) 

1/2 cup pitted Nicoise or Kalamata olives 

Season both sides of the chicken with salt.

Heat 1 teaspoon oil in a Dutch or large saute pan oven over medium-high heat until shimmering then add three chicken thighs and cook without moving until well browned, about 5 minutes.

Using tongs, flip the chicken and brown on the second side about 5 minutes longer. Transfer to a large plate repeat with the remaining three chicken thighs and transfer to plate, set aside and discard all but one tablespoon of fat from the pot.  

Add onion to the Dutch oven and cook stirring occasionally, over medium-high heat until browned about 4 minutes.

Add garlic, anchovy and cayenne and cook stirring constantly until fragrant about 1 minute, then add the wine. Scrape browned bits from the bottom of the pot and stir in tomatoes, chicken broth, thyme, tomato paste, oregano and Herbs de Provence (if using) and bay leaf. 

Remove and discard skin from the chicken thighs (optional) then submerge the chicken in liquid and any accumulated chooses to the pot. Increase heat to high, bringing the mixture to a simmer.

Transfer the chicken to the pot. Cover and simmer until chicken reaches an internal temp of 165 degrees.

Using a slotted spoon, transfer chicken onto a serving platter and tightly cover with aluminum foil. Discard the bay leaf.

Increase the temp to high heat stirring in the lemon zest and bring to a boil and cook stirring occasionally until slightly thickened, about 5 minutes. Add the olives and cook for 1 minute. 

Adjust seasonings for personal preference.