Chicken Sofrito

1 Tbsp vegetable oil
4 whole chicken legs, separated into drumsticks and thighs
Salt and freshly ground pepper
1/2 tsp chili powder, plus more for dusting
1 medium onion, cut into 1/2-inch dice
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 jalapeno, seeded and minced
2 large thyme sprigs
1 red bell pepper, cut into 1/2-inch thick strips
Rounded 1/4 tsp anise seeds
Pinch of cayenne pepper
1 cup chopped canned tomatoes
3 cups chicken stock or low-sodium broth
1 cup short grain white rice
2 Tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
1/2 cup roasted almonds

Preheat the oven to 375. In a large oven-proof, heat the vegetable oil. Season the chicken with salt and pepper and dust lightly with chili powder. Add the chicken to the skillet and cook over moderate heat until well browned, about 4 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate.

Add the onion, garlic, jalapeno, and thyme sprigs to the skillet and cook over moderately low heat, stirring occasionally, until the onion is softened, about 8 minutes. Add the bell pepper, anise seeds, cayenne, and the 1/2 tsp of chili powder and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the chopped tomatoes, raise the heat to high and cook until bubbling. Add the chicken stock and bring to a boil. Stir in the rice and 1/2 tsp of salt and bring to a simmer. Arrange the chicken pieces on the rice, skin side up. Bake in the upper third of the oven for about 25 minutes, until the chicken is just cooked through and the rice is tender and has absorbed the stock.

Preheat the broiler. Broil the sofrito 6 inches from the heat for about 2 minutes, until the chicken skin is crisp. Transfer the chicken to a plate. Discard the thyme sprigs, stir the lemon juice into the rice and scatter the almonds on top. Spoon the rice onto plates, add the chicken and serve.

Recipe from Food & Wine, Feb-09