Braised Chicken with Walnuts and Sage

By Recipe Courtesy of Chef Joanne Weir for the California Walnut Board
Total Time
1 Hr, 30 Mins
Serves
10
Meal
Dinner

DESCRIPTION

The best thing about braising is that the meat is juicy, flavorful and absolutely falls off the bone.

Prep Time
15 Mins
Cook Time
1 Hr, 15 Mins
Total Time
1 Hr, 30 Mins
Calories
550
Total Fat
42
Polyunsaturated Fat
13
Cholesterol
125
Sodium
250
Carbohydrates
15
Dietary Fiber
4
Protein
28

Ingredients

  • 1/2 tablespoon plus 1 tablespoon butter, unsalted
  • 3 slices bacon (about 3 ounces), cut into 1/2-inch dices
  • 1 chicken (about 4 pounds), whole, cut into 10 pieces
  • Kosher salt and black pepper, freshly ground
  • 8 cups chicken stock, low-sodium
  • 8 cloves garlic, chopped
  • 30 sprigs sage, fresh, large
  • 2 parsnips (about 12 ounces), peeled, cut into 1-inch lengths
  • 2 carrots (about 12 ounces), peeled, cut into 1-inch lengths
  • 1 turnip, (about 12 ounces), medium, peeled, cut into 1-inch wedges
  • 1/2 cup canola oil
  • 1 cup California walnut halves, toasted
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

Preparation

  1. Melt 1/2 tablespoon butter in a large heavy casserole over medium heat. Add the bacon and cook until light golden, 10 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside.
  2. Increase the heat to medium high. In the same pan, add the chicken in a single layer with space between, season with salt and pepper, and cook until light golden, 5 minutes on each side. Increase the heat to high and add the bacon, garlic, stock, and 3 tablespoons chopped sage. Bring to a boil; reduce the heat to low and simmer covered until the juices from the chicken are clear, 25 to 30 minutes. Remove the chicken from the pan with tongs and set aside, covered with foil. Strain the liquid and pour it back into the pan. Discard the solids. Add the parsnips, carrots and turnip, simmer over medium heat uncovered until the vegetables are tender, 10 to 15 minutes. With a slotted spoon, remove the vegetables from the pan and add to the chicken.
  3. In the meantime, pick 30 large sage leaves. Warm the oil in a small frying pan over medium high heat until it ripples. Fry the sage until crispy and light golden, 10 to 20 seconds. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside on paper towels to drain.
  4. In a small bowl, with a fork, mash together the flour and remaining 1 tablespoon butter. Bring the liquid to a boil and with a whisk, whisk the flour and butter into the liquid, simmering until the liquid coats a spoon lightly, 2 to 3 minutes.
  5. To serve, heat the sauce over medium high heat until it is hot. Add the chicken, vegetables and walnuts and heat thoroughly, 3 to 4 minutes. Place the vegetables, chicken and walnuts on a platter and drizzle the sauce over the top. Garnish with crispy sage and serve immediately.