Chicken Thighs with Malt Vinegar

• Recipe by Michael Roberts

Dark meat chicken gains by being cooked with vinegar, which cuts some of the richness. I like to add strong aromatic elements--carrot, celery, onion and herbs--to keep the vinegar and wine in balance.

Ingredients

1. 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2. 8 chicken thighs (about 3 pounds)
3. Salt and freshly ground pepper
4. 1 carrot, cut into 1/4 -inch dice
5. 1 celery rib, cut into 1/4 -inch dice
6. 1 small onion, cut into
7. 1/4 -inch dice
8. 1/3 cup malt vinegar
9. 1/3 cup dry white wine
10. 1 cup chicken stock or canned low-sodium broth
11. 2 teaspoons thyme
12. 2 bay leaves
13. Pinch of allspice
14. 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
15. 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

Directions

1. In a large heavy nonreactive skillet, heat the oil. Season the chicken thighs with salt and pepper. Add them to the skillet skin side down and cook over moderately high heat, turning once, until browned, about 15 minutes; transfer to a plate.
2. Add the carrot, celery and onion to the skillet and cook over moderate heat, stirring, until barely soft, about 3 minutes. Add the vinegar and wine and boil until nearly evaporated, scraping up the browned bits from the bottom of the skillet, about 1 minute. Return the chicken to the skillet and add the stock, thyme, bay leaves and allspice. Cover tightly and simmer gently over low heat until tender, about 30 minutes. Transfer the chicken and vegetables to a platter, cover and keep warm. Discard the bay leaves. 
3. Skim the fat from the liquid in the skillet, then boil the juices until reduced to 1/2 cup. Remove the skillet from the heat and swirl in the butter until blended. Add the parsley and season with salt and pepper. Pour the sauce over the chicken and serve.

Serve With

Fresh buttered noodles or steamed Yukon Gold potatoes.