Braised chicken with veggies over polenta

from Everyday Food

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 8 chicken thighs (about 2 1/2 pounds total)
• Coarse salt and ground pepper
• 2 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
• 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved if large
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh oregano leaves
• 1/2 cup water
• 3/4 cup low-sodium chicken broth
• 3 small zucchini, quartered lengthwise and cut into 1/2-inch pieces
• 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
• 3/4 cup yellow cornmeal
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

** For a richer polenta, use chicken broth instead of water and stir in 1/3 cup grated Italian cheese, such as Parmesan, at the end of the cooking.

Directions

1. In a large Dutch oven or heavy pot, heat oil over medium-high. Season chicken with salt and pepper. Working in two batches, cook chicken until browned on all sides, 6 to 8 minutes per batch. Transfer to a plate. Pour off all but 1 tablespoon fat and return pot to heat.

2. Add garlic, tomatoes, and oregano; cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add water and cook, scraping up browned bits, until almost evaporated, about 1 minute. Add broth; return chicken, skin side up, to pot. Bring to a boil; reduce to a simmer, cover, and cook 15 minutes. Add zucchini; season with salt and pepper. Cover; simmer until chicken is cooked through, 10 to 15 minutes. Stir in lemon juice- or just provide sliced lemons to squeeze during dinner- I like this better.

3. Meanwhile, in a large saucepan, combine 4 1/2 cups water, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, and teaspoon pepper and bring to a boil. Whisking constantly, slowly add cornmeal. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook, whisking frequently, until polenta has thickened, 20 to 25 minutes; whisk in butter. Serve chicken and vegetables over polenta.