Chef John's Roman-Style Chicken

Ingredients

• 6 large chicken thighs
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2.5 teaspoons kosher salt
• 0.5 teaspoons ground black pepper
• 1 pinch cayenne pepper
• 0.5 teaspoons dried thyme
• 0.5 teaspoons dried rosemary
• 0.5 teaspoons dried oregano
• 1 yellow onion , sliced
• 4 cloves garlic
• 1 tablespoon capers
• 1 anchovy filet
• 1 cup white wine
• 2 cups crushed tomatoes or tomato sauce
• 0.5 cups water
• 1 teaspoon chicken bouillon paste
• 3 oranges bell peppers , seeded and cut into 3/8-inch strips
• 3 slices prosciutto , cut into strips
• chopped Italian parsley , optional

Instructions

1. 1

   Use a sharp knife to make 2 cuts through the skin in the center of the thigh, down to the bone, about one inch apart from each other. Once cut, transfer thighs into a mixing bowl.

2. 2

   Drizzle with 2 teaspoons olive oil, and season with salt, black pepper, cayenne, and dried herbs. Use tongs to toss until very thoroughly coated. Wrap and refrigerate chicken for at least 2 hours, or up to 12 hours.

3. 3

   Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C).

4. 4

   Heat remaining olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet on medium-high heat. Add chicken, skin side down, and cook until a deep golden brown crust has formed, 5 to 6 minutes. Turn chicken over and cook for 3 minutes more. Turn off heat, remove chicken to a plate, and set aside.

5. 5

   Turn heat back on to medium, and add onions. Cook, stirring, for a few minutes or until the onions just begin to soften. Make a space in the center of the pan, and add garlic, capers, and anchovy. Cook for about 1 minute, while stirring and smashing with the edge of a wooden spoon or spatula.

6. 6

   Pour in wine, and raise the heat to high. Cook, stirring occasionally, for a few minutes until the wine reduces by about half. Add tomatoes, water, and chicken bouillon paste; stir to combine. Return mixture to a boil, and cook, stirring occasionally, until liquid reduces slightly, 3 to 4 minutes.

7. 7

   Add sliced peppers, and mix in evenly. Scatter about 3/4 of prosciutto slices evenly over the top. Place chicken thighs back on top, spaced evenly, skin side up. Place remaining prosciutto slices between chicken pieces.

8. 8

   Bake in the preheated oven until the chicken is cooked through and the top is nicely browned, 40 to 45 minutes.

9. 9

   Top with parsley and serve immediately on olive oil mashed potatoes, rice, or pasta.