One-Pan Paprika Chicken With Lentils, Squash and Daqa

 

INGREDIENTS

Yield: 6 servings

• 6bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 2¼ pounds)
• ¾pound skin-on kabocha squash, seeds removed, cut into about 6 (1-inch-thick) wedges
• 1tablespoon plus 2 teaspoons ground sweet paprika
• 3tablespoons olive oil
• Fine sea salt
• 2small yellow onions, halved and thinly sliced
• 3garlic cloves, minced
• 1teaspoon cumin seeds, lightly toasted
• 8ounces/1 heaping cup (uncooked) French green lentils, rinsed
• 2cups chicken stock
• ¾cup sour cream
• ¼cup finely chopped chives
• 3tablespoons finely chopped fresh dill, plus 1 tablespoon picked leaves for serving
• 3tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• ½teaspoon granulated sugar
  

  PREPARATION

  1. Step 1

     Heat the oven to 450 degrees.

  2. Step 2

     In a large bowl, mix together the chicken, squash, 1 tablespoon paprika, 1 tablespoon oil and 1 teaspoon salt; set aside.

  3. Step 3

     Place the onions, 2 garlic cloves, ½ teaspoon cumin, 1 teaspoon salt and the remaining 2 tablespoons oil and 2 teaspoons paprika in a 9-by-13-inch baking dish and mix to combine. Roast for 10 minutes, stirring halfway, until the onions are lightly colored. Stir in the lentils, chicken stock and 1 cup of water. Arrange the squash wedges and the chicken, skin-side up, on top and roast for another 20 minutes, until the chicken skin is deeply golden. Turn the oven down to 350 degrees and cook for another 40 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through and the squash is nicely softened.

  4. Step 4

     Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine the sour cream, chives and dill; set aside.

  5. Step 5

     To make the daqa, mix the remaining garlic and cumin with the vinegar, sugar, ¼ teaspoon salt and 2 tablespoons of water.

  6. Step 6

     When ready, remove the bake from the oven and top with spoonfuls of the sour cream mixture. Pour over the daqa and sprinkle with the extra dill. Serve hot, straight out of the baking dish.