Chicken with Catalan Picada

• MAKE-AHEAD

Ingredients

1. 4 whole chicken legs, split (2 pounds)
2. Salt and freshly ground pepper
3. 2 1/2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
4. 1 medium onion, finely chopped
5. One 14-ounce can whole tomatoes, drained and finely chopped
6. 1 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
7. 1/4 cup oloroso sherry
8. 1 bay leaf
9. One 3-inch strip of orange zest
10. 1/4 teaspoon thyme leaves
11. 1 slice of peasant bread, crusts removed and bread cut into 1/2-inch cubes (1/2 cup)
12. 1/4 cup slivered almonds
13. 3 garlic cloves, coarsely chopped
14. 1 ounce bittersweet chocolate, chopped
15. 1/4 cup chopped parsley
16. 1/8 teaspoon cinnamon
17. Large pinch of saffron threads
18. Small pinch each of aniseeds
19. Small pinch of ground cloves

1. Season the chicken with salt and pepper. In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of the oil. Add the chicken, skin side down, and cook over moderately high heat until browned, 4 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate.
2. Add the onion to the skillet and cook over moderate heat until softened, 5 minutes. Add the tomatoes and cook over moderately high heat until very thick, 5 minutes. Add the broth, sherry, bay leaf, orange zest and thyme and bring to a boil. Add the chicken, cover and simmer over low heat for 30 minutes, turning once.
3. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350°. Toast the bread and almonds on a baking sheet, about 8 minutes.
4. In a skillet, heat the remaining 1/2 tablespoon of oil. Add the garlic and cook over moderate heat until golden, 3 minutes. Transfer to a food processor with the bread and almonds, the chocolate, parsley, cinnamon, saffron, aniseeds and cloves. Process to a paste.
5. Stir the picada into the sauce and simmer over low heat for 15 minutes. Discard the bay leaf and orange zest, season with salt and pepper and serve.