Catalan Chicken Stew

• Picada:
• 1/4 cup dry unsalted Marcona almonds or blanched almonds
• 2 tablespoons EVOO
• 2 slices (1/2-inch thick) batard or baguette (reserve the rest of the loaf for serving)
• 1/3 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 2 cloves garlic, grated or finely chopped
• Stew:
• 3 tablespoons EVOO
• 2 to 3 tablespoons chopped fresh thyme
• 2 rounded tablespoons paprika
• 2 to 3 stalks celery with leafy tops, peeled and chopped
• 2 bay leaves
• 2 medium carrots, chopped
• 2 medium onions, chopped
• 1 red bell pepper, chopped
• 1 Fresno or other red chile pepper, finely chopped
• Pinch saffron threads
• Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
• One 32-ounce can whole peeled tomatoes
• 4 cups chicken stock
• 3 to 4 cups shredded Poached Chicken Breasts, recipe follows
• 1 cup Spanish green olives, coarsely chopped
• Bread, for serving
• Poached Chicken Breasts:
• 4 whole bone-in, skin-on chicken breasts (for all white meat) or 3 whole 4-pound chickens (for a mix of white and dark meat)
• 1 tablespoon whole black peppercorns
• 8 cloves garlic, smashed
• 4 large bay leaves
• 4 carrots, coarsely chopped
• 4 stalks celery, coarsely chopped
• 2 lemons, sliced
• 2 onions, quartered
• Herb bundle of fresh parsley, rosemary and thyme tied with kitchen string
• Kosher salt

1. For the picada: Toast the nuts in a small skillet, then remove to a plate. Add the EVOO to the skillet and toast the bread slices until golden. Chop the bread and add to a food processor along with the parsley, lemon juice, garlic, toasted almonds and a splash of water. Pulse until the mixture is a pesto-like consistency. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
2. For the stew: Heat the EVOO in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the thyme, paprika, celery, bay leaves, carrots, onions, bell peppers, chile peppers and saffron and season with salt and pepper. Cook until the vegetables are soft, 7 to 8 minutes. Add the tomatoes and mash. Add the stock and simmer for 30 minutes. Stir in the chicken. Stir in the picada and olives, then remove f

almonds, evoo, batard, parsley, lemon juice, garlic, evoo, thyme, paprika, celery, bay leaves, carrots, onions, red bell pepper, other red chile pepper, saffron threads, kosher salt, tomatoes, chicken stock, chicken breasts, spanish green olives, bread, chicken breasts, chicken breasts, whole black peppercorns, garlic, bay leaves, carrots, stalks celery, lemons, onions, parsley, kosher salt

Taken from www.epicurious.com/recipes/member/views/catalan-chicken-stew-52787501 (may not work)