Chicken Thighs with Louisiana Style Gravy

Ingredients

8 pieces bone-in, skin-off chicken
Salt and pepper
1 1/2 teaspoons smoked sweet paprika
Flour, for dredging, plus 1 rounded tablespoon
2 tablespoons vegetable oil or olive oil
2 tablespoons butter
1 bay leaf
1 rib celery with leafy top, finely chopped
1/2 red, yellow or orange bell pepper, seeded and finely chopped
1 small onion, finely chopped

2 large cloves garlic, finely chopped
2 tablespoons fresh thyme
2 teaspoons lemon or orange zest
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1/2 cup white wine
1 cup chicken stock
About 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
A few dashes hot sauce
Thinly sliced scallions, for garnish

Yields: Serves 4

Preparation

Season chicken liberally with salt, pepper and paprika. Dredge chicken pieces in flour, shaking off any excess.

Heat a tablespoon of oil, one turn of the pan, in a heavy-bottomed pan over medium-high heat. Add 4 pieces of chicken and brown on both sides. Remove browned pieces to a plate and repeat with remaining chicken.

Add butter to the pan and melt. Add in celery, pepper, onion, garlic, thyme, zest and season with salt and pepper. Stir 5 minutes until the veggies are tender then stir in tomato paste. Sprinkle in 1 rounded tablespoon flour, stir 1 minute, then whisk in wine. Stir in stock and season with Worcestershire and hot sauce.

Slide reserved chicken into pot, nestling the pieces into the sauce. Cover and simmer to cook through, 7-8 minutes. Garnish with scallions on top and serve with crusty bread, rice or mac 'n cheese alongside.