Chicken in Vinegar

Chicken in vinegar is a rustic braised dish with tender chicken and a bright, savory pan sauce. Browning the chicken first develops flavor, while gentle simmering softens the vinegar’s sharpness.

Ingredients

• 8 bone-in chicken thighs or drumsticks
• Salt and black pepper
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 onion, thinly sliced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 cup chicken stock
• 1/3 cup red wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar
• 1 can diced tomatoes, drained
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley

Preparation

1. Pat the chicken dry and season it with salt and black pepper.
2. Heat the olive oil in a large, heavy pan over medium-high heat. Brown the chicken in batches, beginning with the skin side down. Transfer the browned pieces to a plate.
3. Reduce the heat to medium. Add the onion and cook until softened. Stir in the garlic and cook briefly without letting it burn.
4. Carefully add the vinegar and scrape up the browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Simmer for 1 to 2 minutes.
5. Add the stock, tomatoes, thyme, and bay leaf. Return the chicken and any accumulated juices to the pan.
6. Cover and simmer gently for 30 to 40 minutes, or until the chicken is tender and reaches a safe internal temperature of 165°F or 74°C.
7. Transfer the chicken to a serving dish. If the sauce is thin, simmer it uncovered for several minutes until slightly reduced. Remove the bay leaf, adjust the seasoning, and spoon the sauce over the chicken.
8. Garnish with parsley and serve hot.

Serving Suggestions

Serve the chicken and its sauce with mashed potatoes, rice, buttered noodles, polenta, or crusty bread. A simple green salad or steamed vegetables provides a fresh contrast to the rich, tangy sauce.

Helpful Tips

• Use a nonreactive stainless-steel or enameled pan because vinegar may react with uncoated aluminum or cast iron.
• For a milder sauce, begin with less vinegar and add more after tasting.
• Keep the liquid at a gentle simmer so the chicken remains tender.
• Refrigerate leftovers promptly in a covered container and reheat until thoroughly hot.