A sort of Chicken Provencal

I'd defrosted some chicken with the intention of making a chicken Tagine and then realised I couldn't actually be bothered.  So, what to cook, what to cook?

Deciding that as there were olives, a bell pepper and a courgette in the fridge that needed to be used up, I made this up as I went along.  I think the best dinners are made up with what you think goes and what you feel like eating at the time.

It turns out this would be excellent to at a dinner party, it's so easy to make.  You could serve with new potatoes and fine green beans to fancy it up a bit.

 Print Recipe

You will need:

a couple of glugs of olive oil

2 onions - sliced

1/2 a green bell pepper - sliced thinly

1/2 to 1 courgette (zucchini) - sliced then halved into half-moons

 3 cloves garlic - finely chopped

1 tablespoon of capers - rinsed well and dried on kitchen paper
a pinch or two of sugar
1x400g tin of cherry tomatoes
a pinch of dried basil
a pinch of dried thyme

a pinch of dried oregano
150ml white wine
a small handful of pitted green olives
2 skinless chicken breast fillets - cut into bite sized cubes 
a dash of lemon juice
black pepper to taste

How to do it:

Preheat your oven 180C/350F/ of Gas 4
Heat a glug of olive oil in a large pan, then add the onions, green pepper, courgette, garlic and capers.  Season with a pinch of salt, some pepper and one pinch of sugar - you can add another pinch later if you think the sauce needs it.
Pop a lid on and leave to sweat over a very low heat for about 8-10 minutes - give it a stir now and then.  Once the onions have softened.

Once that's done tip in the cherry tomatoes, basil, thyme and oregano, along with the wine and olives. Give it a few twists of freshly ground black pepper and a good stir.  Cook uncovered for another 20 minutes, or until the sauce has reduced and is much thicker.
You will have to stir regularly though to prevent the sauce from burning. When it's done turn off the heat and put a lid on.
Now, on with the chicken:  In another large pan, heat another glug of olive oil brown the chicken for a couple of minutes - moving then about in the pan.  You just want them slightly coloured.  Put the browned chicken in an ovenproof dish and pour over the sauce you made. 
Give it all a good stir and put a lid on. Cook in your preheated oven for one hour, by which time the chicken should be nicely cooked through and the sauce will be lovely.
Once it's done, remove from the oven and stir through a splash of lemon juice.  Have a taste and adjust the seasoning - you might was a very tiny bit of salt and another pinch of sugar.
Serve immediately with nice crusty bread for dipping and mopping.