dinner tonight: a cheap cut of meat braised in wine

the mr and i have been on a strict budget lately. we had not 1 but 2 banging vacations already this year (vegas AND new orleans) and with a wedding looming - do you know how much it costs to throw a giant party? ugh, we are trying to keep money in the bank. so dinner tonight is Chicken Thighs Braised in Garlic and White Wine served with rice. also note that the mr is on couch tour*, it's not like we are sitting at home picking our noses or anything.

the original recipe comes from Real Simple Magazine but i've modified it just a little by cutting it down to 2 servings, used brown rice instead of white and a red bell pepper instead of jarred hot cherry peppers.

ingredients:
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon fresh cracked pepper
1/3 cup AP flour
2 skin on/bone in chicken thighs
1 sm yellow onion or 1/2 large onion quartered
4 cloves of garlic thinly sliced
1 red bell pepper sliced in 1 inch pieces
2 tbs olive oil
1 cup dry white wine (plus more for drinking - channel your inner julia here, we all know i did)
1/2 cup chicken broth
1 cup brown rice (cooked or cooking whilst you make the chicken, like a good little chef)

method:
in a dutch oven or heavy bottom soup pot, heat olive oil on medium heat
combine oregano, salt and pepper.
pat chicken pieces dry, rub spice mixture to completely coat the chicken. dredge in flour.
add chicken to pot, cook each side 4 min until golden brown. remove and set aside on clean plate.
add onions and cook 2 min until light brown. add garlic and bell pepper. cook 2 more min until brown.
add wine and chicken broth. bring to boil. season if needed. lower heat and add chicken back to pot. bring to a simmer. cover and cook for 30 min or until chicken is completely cooked through.

serve with rice in a big bowl and a glass of the white wine.

chicken simmering away in wine

* for those of you who don't know, couch tour happens when Phish is on tour and you stream the live show from your computer and rock out just like you were in the crowd

ps: please dont judge me on my crappy iphone pictues