Braised Chicken Thighs With Potatoes, Porcini & Dried Cherries

In a 1-1/2 quart saucepan, heat 1 teaspoon of the oil. Add the whole garlic cloves and cook over low heat until golden and fragrant, about 5 minutes. Add 4 cups of water and bring to a boil. Cover and simmer for 1 hour.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

While the garlic broth cooks, add 1 tablespoon canola oil to a large cast iron skillet and allow to heat up. Season the chicken with salt and cook over moderate heat until golden brown all over, about 10 minutes total. Remove chicken to a platter.

Let the skillet cool down and remove all but 1 tablespoon of the oil. Place the sliced potatoes in the bottom of the skillet, slightly overlapping. Set the chicken on top of the potatoes, skin side down.

Strain the garlic broth into a bowl and discard garlic. In another bowl, whisk 1 cup of the garlic broth with the sour cream. Stir in the porcini mushrooms. Season with salt. The remaining garlic broth will not be used. Pour the garlic sauce over the chicken and potatoes.

Scatter cherries and crushed garlic on top of the chicken and potatoes.

Roast the chicken for 20 minutes. Reduce the oven to 300 degrees F and roast for about 45 minutes longer or until the chicken registers done. Remove the skillet from the oven and turn on the broiler, setting the rack 6 inches from the top. Turn the chicken skin side up. Cook until golden brown and crispy, 5 to 8 minutes. Watch carefully. Serve immediately.