Chicken Sangria
This a special dish, and one of my favorites. I found it in a nineteenth-century cookbook from central Mexico, and it demonstrates the Spanish influence on upper-class Mexican cooking of that era. The chicken soaks overnight in a wine and citrus marinade and is served with a quickly made sauce, spiked with pomegranate juice. The sweet and salty garnishes are the perfect finish. In season, scatter a few tart pomegranate seeds over the chicken just before serving.
Servings Prep Time
4serving 15minutes
Cook Time
24minutes
Servings Prep Time
4serving 15minutes
Cook Time
24minutes
Ingredients
  • 1cup fruity red winesuch as Zinfandel or a Cabernet blend
  • 1tbsp red wine vinegar
  • 6 black peppercornscrushed
  • 6 coriander seedscrushed
  • 1 whole clovecrushed
  • 1/2 bay leaf
  • 1 Ceylon cinnamon stick1-inch-thick lightly crushed, or 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 2 white or red onion slices1-inch-thick slices
  • 2 orange slices1-inch-thick
  • 2 Lemon slices1-inch-thick
  • 1tsp kosher salt
  • 3lbs bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs(about 8 thighs)
  • 1 1/2tbsp olive oil
  • 1/2tsp kosher salt
  • 1cup chicken broth
  • 1/4cup pomegranate juice
  • 1 garlic clovecrushed and peeled
  • 3 orange slices1/4-inch-thick
  • 2tbsp raisins
  • 4large Green Olivespitted and halved lengthwise
  • 2tsp butter(optional)
Instructions
  1. To make the marinade: In a small saucepan, combine the wine, vinegar, peppercorns, coriander seeds, clove, bay, cinnamon, onion, orange slices, lemon slices, and salt. Bring to a boil, then turn off the heat, and let stand for 30 minutes to allow the flavors to infuse.
  2. Place the chicken in a large bowl and pour the marinade on top. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.
  3. Just before cooking, remove the chicken from the marinade and pat dry with paper towels. Pour the marinade through a wire-mesh strainer set over a bowl; discard the solids in the strainer.
  4. Press Sauté—high on the Instant Pot and heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil. Working in batches, add the chicken in a single layer and cook until well browned on both sides, about 4 minutes per side. Transfer to a large plate. After all the chicken has been browned, season the skin sides with the salt.
  5. Add the strained marinade, the broth, pomegranate juice, and garlic to the pot. Bring to a boil and cook, scraping up any browned bits on the bottom of the pot, until reduced by about half, 3 to 5 minutes. Place the wire metal steam rack in the Instant Pot, then place the chicken skin side up on the rack in an even layer, over the cooking liquid.
  6. Secure the lid and set the Pressure Release to Sealing. Press Meat/Stew, then set the cooking time for 20 minutes.
  7. While chicken is cooking, in a medium skillet, heat the remaining 1 1/2 teaspoons olive oil over medium heat. Add the orange slices and cook for about 1 minute, until lightly browned and softened. Transfer to a plate. Add the raisins to the skillet and cook, stirring, for about 1 minute, then add the olives and cook, stirring, for about 30 seconds more. Transfer to the plate with the orange slices. Reserve the skillet for reducing the sauce.
  8. When the cooking program is complete, press Cancel,. Perform a quick pressure release by moving the Pressure Release to Venting,. Open the pot and let cool for 10 minutes.
  9. Preheat the broiler with a rack positioned about 6 inches below the element.
  10. Using tongs, transfer the chicken skin side up in a single layer to a broiler-safe serving dish. Pat the skin dry with paper towels, then broil for 4 to 6 minutes, until the skin is browned and crisp.
  11. While the chicken broils, pour the cooking liquid through a wire-mesh strainer into the reserved skillet. Set the pan over high heat and cook until for 1 to 3 minutes, until the liquid thick, syrupy, and reduced to about 3/4 cup. Stir in the butter (if using). Taste and adjust the seasoning with salt if needed.
  12. Pour a small amount of the sauce around the chicken and top the chicken with the sautéed orange slices, raisins, and olives. Serve right away and offer the remaining the sauce on the side.