Coastal Mains
Curried Chicken Thighs with Potatoes and Spinach
The Strategy:
Welcoming loved ones around a generous table starts with letting the fresh aromas of Curried Chicken Thighs with Potatoes and Spinach fill the home, allowing the savory aromas and fresh ingredients to develop deep flavors, which turns kitchen preparation into a shared pleasure and a welcoming ritual. Roasting helps break down the cellular walls of the vegetables, concentrating their juices and producing a rich, sweet flavor profile. The resulting centerpiece is a stunning, warm invitation for a party of eight, blending quiet luxury with the nostalgic pleasure of sharing a beautifully prepared treat.
Ginger, garlic and curry help tenderize and flavor the chicken and veggies in this slow cooker dish. Serve with Naan, an Indian flatbread for an authentic Sunday night dinner.
Curried Chicken Thighs with Potatoes and Spinach
Serves 4
Ingredients
- 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes
- 3 tablespoons white wine vinegar
- 1 (2-inch) piece ginger, peeled and cut into pieces
- 4 large garlic cloves, peeled
- 1 tablespoon unbleached all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon ground curry powder
- 1 teaspoon garam masala
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon coarse black pepper
- 6 baby red potatoes, quartered, about 2 cups
- 6 baby purple potatoes, quartered, about 2 cups
- ½ yellow onion, peeled and sliced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 8 large chicken thighs
- 1 teaspoon garam masala
- 5 ounces fresh spinach, about 1 ½ to 2 cups
- 4 duck thigh/leg pieces
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon coarse black pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 4 large shallots, thinly sliced
- 6 large garlic cloves, peeled and thinly sliced
Instructions
- Place tomatoes, vinegar, ginger, garlic, flour, tomato paste, curry powder and garam masala into a blender and pulse to combine. Season with salt and pepper.
- Chicken & Veggies Place the potatoes and onion into the bottom of the slow cooker. Season with salt and pepper. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Season the thighs with salt, pepper and garam masala. Brown until golden on one side, about 3 to 4 minutes.
- Turn and brown on the other side, about 3 to 4 minutes more. Place the chicken thighs on top of the veggies. Pour the sauce over top. Cook on low until the chicken is quite tender and the meat is falling from the bone, about 4 to 6 hours. Toss in the spinach and cook for 15 minutes more.
- Serve the chicken thighs on a plate and ladle the sauce and veggies over the top.
- Sunday Best Duck Confit Duck confit is a French dish of cured duck legs poached in fat. My streamlined recipe is a Sunday cook' s best friend as it allows you to use the rich, tender meat in other dishes later on. Cooking the duck in a slow cooker renders the fat and flavors the meat at the same time. Finish the dish in a sauté pan to crisp the skin.
- You can eat the duck right away, or transfer to an airtight container for later use.
- Season the duck with salt, pepper and thyme. Place the shallots and garlic into a slow cooker. Place the duck legs, skin side down on top of the veggies. Set the slow cooker on the low setting for 4 to 5 hours.
- Transfer the duck legs and fat from the slow cooker to a sauté pan over medium high heat. Cook until the skin crisps, about 5 to 8 minutes.
- Sunday Jump Start Slices of Duck Confit are the perfect ingredient for upscale appetizers. Spread soft, sweet cloves of roasted garlic onto crostini and cover with slices of duck for a royal appy. Or, layer slices of duck onto flatbread and top with goat cheese for a starter that sets the mood for the evening. It's sooo yum!
- Culinary Class
The Heart of the Table
The comforting, savory aroma of sizzling meats and savory fats evokes a sense of shared abundance, drawing everyone close to enjoy these curried chicken thighs. Passing this generous, warm platter around the table turns our dinner into a lively symphony of stories.
The Art of the Host
- a hand-carved, long-handled cherrywood stirring spoon
- a seamless, high-heat resistant silicone spatula in a soft slate grey
- a pre-seasoned double-burner cast-iron grill pan with high ridges
- oatmeal-toned washed linen napkins (completely bare and plain, with strictly no kitchen twine, no strings, and no bows)
- a set of heavy-gauge, satin-finished stainless steel mixing bowls
- a large, hand-thrown ceramic serving platter with an organic rim
Neighborly Grace
- THE PRESENTATION: Arrange the dish elegantly in a pre-warmed, shallow cast-iron skillet resting on a thick cutting board of salvaged cherrywood. The dark iron provides a striking contrast to the vibrant colors of the dish, while keeping it sizzling and hot throughout the meal. Drape a runner of French raw linen in a muted oat hue beneath the board, allowing the natural, rumpled texture to offset the polished silverware. Finish the table setting with organic, hand-glazed side bowls and natural linen napkins bound with leather cords.
- THE POUR: To elevate the savory, herb-infused flavors of the Curried Chicken Thighs with Potatoes and Spinach, we suggest pairing it with a dry, medium-bodied Chenin Blanc from Vouvray or a lightly oaked Chardonnay. The wine brings ripe yellow apple, honeyed pear, and bright acidity that enhance the delicate, savory flavor of the poultry. Serve chilled at 50°F in a standard stemmed white wine glass. For a non-alcoholic selection, offer a chilled white grape pressé infused with fresh tarragon and a squeeze of Meyer lemon, served at 42°F in a tall crystal tumbler over ice. The soft fruit sweetness and herbal anise notes lift the poultry's seasoning.
- THE VIBE: Create an airy, sun-kissed atmosphere on a covered veranda, where the natural afternoon light is filtered through lush palms and climbing bougainvillea. Let the background fill with the gentle, rhythmic sounds of Brazilian bossa nova—featuring the classical guitar and soft vocals of João Gilberto or Stan Getz—setting a sophisticated yet easygoing tempo. Keep the table setting light and open, allowing the sea breeze to cool the space while guests share laughter. Light a few citrus-scented candles as the sun begins to set, casting a warm amber glow over the gathering.