Recipe: Braised Chicken

Braising in a highly spiced aromatic liquid yields an exceptionally flavorful and tender result. Serve this adaptation of an East African dish with a bowl of plain low-fat yogurt and flatbreads or couscous.

• 2 chicken breast halves (about 3/4 pound), skinned
• 2 chicken thighs (about 1/2 pound), skinned
• 2 chicken drumsticks (about 1/2 pound), skinned
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 3 cups vertically sliced onion
• 1 tablespoon chopped peeled fresh ginger
• 1 teaspoon curry powder
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
• 1/4 teaspoon ground red pepper
• 2 large garlic cloves, thinly sliced
• 1/2 cup fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth
• 1/2 cup dry white wine
• 3 tablespoons chopped pitted dates
• 3 tablespoons golden raisins

Preheat oven to 350°. Sprinkle chicken with salt and black pepper. Heat oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add chicken; cook 4 minutes on each side or until golden brown. Remove the chicken from pan. Add the onion to pan; reduce heat to medium-low, and cook for 10 minutes, stirring frequently. Add the ginger and next 5 ingredients (ginger through garlic); cook for 1 minute. Stir in chicken, broth, and the remaining ingredients, and bring to a boil. Cover and bake at 350° for 1 hour.