Game Hen - Hunter's Chicken

To prepare a delicious chicken with vegetables in sauce, follow the detailed steps below. We start with the chicken meat, which we will salt and pepper after washing and drying it with paper towels. This is an essential step to ensure a rich and savory taste. Once the meat is prepared, we coat it in flour, making sure it is evenly covered on all sides. Then, in a heated pan with oil, we place the chicken thighs to fry. It is important to brown them well, about 5 minutes on each side, turning them carefully to achieve a golden and crispy crust. After they are browned, we remove them from the pan and set them aside.

In the same pan, we use the remaining oil to sauté the vegetables. We start with the carrots, which we sauté for about 10 minutes until they become slightly soft. Then we add the parsley, celery, and onion, stirring frequently to avoid burning. After 5-7 minutes, when the vegetables start to soften, we add the bell pepper and, if we want some heat, the chili pepper. We continue to sauté the mixture for 2-3 minutes, after which we incorporate half of the chopped garlic. We let it sauté for another minute to release the flavors.

We pour the wine into the pan and stir, letting it boil until the liquid reduces by half. Then, we add the tomatoes with their juice and the cauliflower florets. Lightly salt and pepper the dish, keeping in mind that we will add spices later. Sprinkle dried thyme and oregano, then simmer uncovered on low heat for about 5 minutes until the tomatoes soften and the sauce becomes uniform. If using fresh thyme and oregano, add them at the end to preserve the intense aroma.

Now, it is time to prepare the chicken in one of three delicious options. The first option is to put the thighs back in the pan over the vegetables, adding the green onion, the rest of the garlic, and simmering covered on low heat for 45 minutes or until the meat becomes tender. The second option involves placing the thighs in a deep baking dish, where we sprinkle with green onion, half of the parsley, and the rest of the garlic, pouring the vegetables with sauce over the meat. We cover with a lid and bake at 180 degrees for 45 minutes. If you do not have a dish with a lid, use a higher-edged dish, pouring a layer of vegetables, followed by the chicken thighs, and covering with aluminum foil, baking under the same conditions.

Once the dish is ready, serve it hot, sprinkled with fresh parsley, to add a touch of freshness. This chicken with vegetables in sauce recipe is not only tasty but also colorful, making it perfect for a family meal or a dinner with friends. Bon appétit!