Recipes

Sicilian inspired braised chicken

Movin' it with Michelle

Today’s recipe was inspired by a dream to…well…be something more.  You see, I never wanted to work in a hospital, I never wanted a job in healthcare for that matter.  But when I joined the Air Force 24+ years ago and signed on the dotted line, this was the job that was chosen FOR me.  The rest is, as they say, history. (Note: I am very lucky to have an amazing job, and people to work with every day.  It’s simply NOT my passion.)

But I am over having my career chosen for me.  I work, because the bills won’t pay themselves.  But I refuse to believe this is my permanent path in life.  And it’s all I can think about lately.  With that, I’ve taken up studying recipes again.  I read cookbooks, magazines, blogs, and websites to get inspiration for new dishes.  Because someday I hope that someone will read MY recipes and get inspired.  I want someone to cook up one of my recipes, and have the food bring a smile to their face and joy in to their home.

So tonight, I have prepared braised chicken thighs in a tomato, Kalmata olive and caper sauce.  Get out your Dutch oven, and a hefty appetite.  You’ll need it for this dish!

Sicilian inspired braised chicken-low carb style

1 package of boneless skinless chicken thighs

1 jar of tomato sauce-(I use Mario Batali’s sauce-YUM!)

1 small white onion, finely diced

3 cloves of garlic, minced

1/4 cup of Kalmata olives, roughly chopped

1 tbsp. capers, rinsed

The zest of one lemon

2 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil

1/4 cup of water/chicken stock

1 zucchini-noodled

I LOVE my noodle maker.
I LOVE my noodle maker.

Seasonings/Spices: kosher salt, pepper, crushed red pepper flakes, rosemary, basil, oregano (all to taste-about a tsp. each)

Pre-heat your Dutch oven on medium high heat.  Season your chicken with salt and pepper, and brown on both sides.  Remove, and set aside.  Deglaze the bottom of the oven with water/chicken stock to get all the brown bits up. Add in your onions, garlic, capers and olives and cook for about 5 minutes.  Next, add your chicken thighs back in to the oven and cover with the tomato sauce.  Add the crushed red pepper flakes, rosemary, basil and oregano, and lemon zest – stir well and cover.  Lower the heat to medium-low and let braise for 30 minutes.

Can you smell it? MMMM!
Can you smell it? MMMM!

I served mine over zucchini noodles for a healthy touch!!

Healthy, AND delish!
Healthy, AND delish!

This is a great weeknight meal, taking only about 40 minutes total to prepare and cook.

Questions!  Did you chose your current profession, or was it chosen for you?  What’s your dream job?

Have a great week, y’all!

❤ Michelle

Published by Movin' it with Michelle

My name is Michelle and I am a retired Air Force Master Sergeant. I have found a passion for running, cooking, writing, photography and all things that move my love for life! I've ran 3 full marathons, with a PR of 4:25, and 17 half marathons with a PR of 2:00:11 (yup-missed sub 2 by 11 seconds, lol). Thanks for joining me on my journey!

36 thoughts on “Sicilian inspired braised chicken”

  2. AS I write this your bacon wrapped chicken recipe is in my oven. With Minor tinkering. I have struggled professionally my entire life. My dream job would be a novelist or artist doing oils.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  4. Sigh… careers. I finally decided that work is work. Pay the bills and be good at what you do. Passion will lie outside of work and that’s what will define me.

    I love love love your pasta maker! This dish looks divine! I can’t wait to try it!!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  5. Oh wow! That looks delish and your story is beautiful. I didn’t choose my job; it chose me. My passion is consumer behavior. I’m fortunate enough to still enjoy my work, and am generally happy going to work everyday. Is it what I want to do forever? No, but for now I’m content.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  6. Yummmmm! Looks delish! So funny that you bring up professions. I do love my job, but I’m a high school computer teacher and I chose it. I actually went back to school after college specifically to be a teacher – I wasn’t originally an education major. I teach web design and photoshop. I love what I teach, but I wish I were a high school home economics teacher (cooking/baking)! Unfortunately, it’s a dying profession. Even if the home ec teachers in my school retired, I don’t think they would be hiring new ones. I love working with high school aged kids, but I hate the non-teaching aspect that comes along with it. I also would love to be the cross country coach, but our coach is a young guy and not leaving anytime soon! I keep saying that one day I’ll make a career out of something with running/fitness/etc…but who knows. LOL!

    Like

    Reply

  7. Your zucchini noodles look amazing! And, you are inspiring!
    My dream profession is to be a writer, which is why I started a blog! I would love to write a book that lets people sit back and relax after a long day at the office.

    Like

    Reply

  8. Such a great recipe and I love your story. A lot of us do the thing or thing’s that are chosen for us. Then we realize we want more or something else. All the best to you in turning your passion into what you need it to be!!!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  10. Why did I read this in the middle of the afternoon? Now I’m hungry!
    I kind of chose my profession – I always wanted to be involved in entertaining people – I always thought I’d be on SNL, but I ended up mainly behind the camera. I love it – I get to control the whole thing! And I can sometimes get in front of the camera too!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  12. You should totally write a cookbook! With all your great recipes you could totally do it! I know what you mean about the career thing. I’m not exactly doing what I love either, but like you said, it pays the bills. My dream “job” would be an elite runner! But I think I’m a bit old (in running years) to start down that path. Keep cookin up a storm and inspiring us all 🙂

    Like

    Reply

  13. I chose my current position but it is no longer my passion and I’m starting to feel burned out. My dream job is to be a novelist. I would also love to work for Trader Joe’s. I love that you are building on your passion!

    Like

    Reply

  16. Ok, so not sure why I am just realizing that you are retired AF?! Maybe I’m losing my mind and did know that? I was AF too, a nurse. Were you a med tech?

    Like

    Reply

Leave a comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.