Aromatic Fennel Chicken

Total Time: 1 hr 25 mins Preparation Time: 35 mins Cook Time: 50 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 6
• 4 bacon, strips chopped
• 1 (3 1/2-4 lb) chicken, cut up, skin removed
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 2 fennel bulbs, sliced
• 2 medium onions, chopped
• 6 garlic cloves, minced
• 3/4 cup wine or 3/4 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth
• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon grated lemon peel
• 2 bay leaves
• 2 teaspoons dried thyme
• 1 pinch cayenne pepper
• 3 tablespoons capers, drained

Recipe

• 1 in a large skillet, cook bacon over medium heat until crisp. remove to paper towels with a slotted spoon. reserve 1 tbsp drippings.
• 2 sprinkle chicken with salt and pepper. brown chicken on all sides in reserved drippings; remove and keep warm. add fennel and onions to the pan; cook and stir for 3 minutes. add garlic; cook 2-3 minutes more or until the onions are tender.
• 3 stir in the wine, lemon juice, lemon peel, bay leaves, thyme, and cayenne, return chicken to the pan and bring to a boil. reduce heat; cover and simmer for 20-25 minutes or until chicken juices run clear. remove chicken and keep warm. reduce the fennel mixture by cooking, uncovered, for 8-10 minutes, or until slightly thickened, stirring occasionally. discard bay leaves. serve sauce with chicken.