Recipe by: Fae’s Twist & Tango (fae-magazine.com)

INGREDIENTS

•   1 large sweet onion
•   3 Tbsp vegetable oil + as needed
•   1150 g/ 2½ lb of boneless, skinless chicken thighs
•   1 bay leaf
•   3 Tbsp flour
•   1 ½ tsp salt
•   4 Tbsp sweet paprika (sweet = unflavored) use freshly opened jar (avoid stale spices)
•   ½ tsp cayenne pepper
•   1 ½ cups hot water
•   2 medium tomatoes, seeded and sliced
•   1 cup sour cream (no more)
•   ¼ cup heavy whipping cream

DIRECTIONS

◊ Place the rack in the middle shelf of the oven and preheat the oven to 160°C / 325°F.

◊ Cut the onion in half, putting the cut side on the board, slice in ¼ inch thick slices.
In a deep non-stick  pot, add the oil and put on medium-high heat. When oil is hot, add the cut onion. Stir several times, until the onion is golden. Scoop/drain out the sautéed onion into a large, deep, oven-safe dish.

◊ In the same pot with the cleared oil, brown the chicken pieces 3~4 minutes per side.
Use spatter screen on the top of the pot to avoid oil spatter mess. As they are done, layer them on top of the sautéed onion. Sprinkle the chicken with salt and add the bay leaf.

◊ In the same pot (add more oil if needed to make 3 Tbsp oil), on medium-high, when oil is hot (not burnt) sprinkle in flour and stir vigorously  (with a wooden spoon) until smooth.
Stir until a light, golden color and begins to rapidly bubble.

◊ Very carefully (as the mixture may splash), gradually stir in the hot water. Continue stirring vigorously until it starts getting thick. Add the paprika and cayenne. Continue stirring and when roux is thick, pour it over the chicken.

◊ Layer the sliced tomatoes on top. Cover the oven-safe dish with foil and bake for 80~90 minutes or until chicken is very tender. Remove chicken dish from the oven.

◊ In a medium size bowl, add sour cream and whisk in a cupful of hot sauce, to temper.
Whisk sour cream mixture back into the dish with the chicken. Pour the heavy whipping cream all over and gently mix.

◊ If not serving immediately, warm it in microwave for a few minutes before serving.

◊ Serve with pasta of your choice or with rice.

~    Jó étvágyat!    ~