Chicken With Bacon & Sherry

Here's a favorite of mine that is so simple it is literally idiot-proof and never fails to impress. Using mostly ingredients that you probably already have in your fridge or cupboards (and if you don't, then I recommend stocking up!) this dish provides maximum taste for minimum effort!

I like this dish for casual entertaining as the rich flavor hints at something that requires a lot more effort, while the oven time lets you relax with your guests and not be running around in the kitchen at the last minute (which I usually am when I'm hosting a dinner party!)

I forget where I originally found this recipe or what it's official name is, so I'm just going to go with Chicken with Bacon and Sherry as that is basically what it is! The quantities below will make 3 hearty portions or 4 smaller ones, depending on your appetite.

Anyway, here is what you will need:

• 1/2 cup of flour
• 6 chicken thighs, boneless & skinless
• 4 slices bacon, roughly chopped
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 5 cloves of garlic, thinly sliced
• 1 cup chicken stock
• 1/2 cup dry or medium dry sherry
• 2 tbsp chopped parsley
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter, cut into 1/4 inch cubes

1.  Heat oven to 350F (180C or gas mark 4)
2. Place flour in a bowl. Season chicken with salt and pepper, dredge in flour. Set aside.
3. Heat a large ovenproof skillet or saute pan over a medium high heat and add bacon. Cook, stirring, until the fat renders, about 4 minutes. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon and set aside.
4. Add olive oil to the pan then brown the chicken on both sides. Remove chicken and set aside.
5. Add the garlic to the pan and cook, stirring, for about 2 minutes. Then add the stock and sherry, and return the chicken to the pan. Sprinkle with the bacon and parsley, then dot with the butter.
6. Cover and transfer the pan to the oven for around 40 minutes, removing twice to baste the chicken

This is definitely a meal to file under "Comfort Food" as between the bacon, bacon fat and butter it is not particularly healthy! To complete the comfort theme, I like to serve this with mashed potatoes and peas, but you could also serve it with some crusty bread - just make sure you have something to soak up all that lovely sauce!