-
1
The spices: In a small bowl, stir together the ginger, cumin, black pepper, pimenton, or paprika, red pepper, and saffron.
-
2
In another bowl, cover the olives with cool water, and set aside to soak.
-
3
Browning the chicken: rinse the chicken pieces with cool water, and dry them thoroughly with paper towels (otherwise they wont brown well moist meats steam and tend to stick to the pan).
-
4
Heat the oil and butter in a large deep-sided skillet or shallow braising pan (4-quart capacity) over medium-high heat.
-
5
While the oil and butter heat, season half the chicken pieces lightly with salt (keep in mind that the olives and preserved lemons will add saltiness).
-
6
When the butter is sizzling, add the salted chicken pieces skin side down and sear, without disturbing, until the skin is crisp and evenly browned, about 4 minutes.
-
7
Peel by lifting one edge with tongs to see that the skin side is browned, then turn with tongs and brown the second side, another 4 minutes or so.
-
8
Transfer the browned chicken to a platter or tray to collect any drips.
-
9
Pat the remaining chicken pieces again with paper towels just to be sure they are as dry as possible, and lightly salt both sides.
-
10
Add these pieces to the pan skin side down and sear them as you did the first batch, transferring them to the platter with the other chicken when they are browned.
-
11
The aromatics: Pour off all but about 1 tablespoon of fat from the pan and return the pan to medium heat.
-
12
Add the onion and garlic, stir with a wooden spoon, and saute until you can smell their fragrance and they begin to soften, about 3 minutes.
-
13
(The bottom of the pan will develop a walnut-colored crust.)
-
14
add the spice mix, stir, and saute for a minute longer.
-
15
The braising liquid: pour in the water to deglaze the pan, and stir and scrap the bottom with a wooden spoon to dislodge and dissolve the flavorful cooked-on crust.
-
16
The braise: When the water boils, return the chicken legs and thighs, and the wing tips, back, neck, heart and gizzard, if using, to the pan.
-
17
Tuck the liver, if using, between the pieces.
-
18
Cover, reduce the heat to low, and braise the chicken for 10 minutes.
-
19
Uncover the pan, and if the liquid is simmering too forcefully, lower the heat to a quiet simmer, or set a heat diffuser under the pan.
-
20
Turn the legs and wings over with tongs, and place the chicken breast pieces skin side up on top of the legs and wings.
-
21
(adding the chicken breasts after 10 minutes prevents them from overcooking and drying out If youre using all legs and thighs, add them all at the start.)
-
22
Squeeze the juice from one lemon half over the chicken, and sprinkle over half the chopped herbs.
-
23
Continue to braise gently for 20 minutes more.
-
24
While the chicken braises, prepare the olives and preserved lemons: Drain and rinse the olives.
-
25
Remove the pits by crushing them one by one with the side of a large knife and pulling out the pit.
-
26
Most olives will remain in one piece, like an open book, but its fine if some olives break in two.
-
27
(You can use an olive pitter if you choose, but Ive always found the knife faster and more efficient.)
-
28
Rinse the preserved lemon quarters under cool water, and remove and discard the pulp.
-
29
Chop the peel into 1/2 inch pieces.
-
30
Adding the olives and preserved lemons: after the chicken has braised for a total of 30 minutes (20 minutes after you added the breasts), lift the lid, add the olives and preserved lemons, and turn the chicken pieces again.
-
31
Optional step, if using the liver: remove the liver from the pan, place it in a small bowl, and mash it to a paste with a fork.
-
32
Set aside.
-
33
Continuing the braise: replace the lid and continue to braise until the juices from the legs run clear when pierced with the tip of a sharp knife, another 10 to 15 minutes (for a total of 40 to 45 minutes).
-
34
Transfer the chicken pieces to a serving dish or tray to catch the juices, and discard the wing tips, back, neck, heart and gizzard, if you used them.
-
35
Cover the chicken loosely with foil to keep warm.
-
36
The finish: Increase the heat under the braising liquid to medium-high and bring to a boil.
-
37
Return the liver, if using, to the skillet and stir it into the sauce.
-
38
Squeeze in the juice from the other half of the lemon.
-
39
Simmer the sauce until it reduces just a bit, about 5 minutes.
-
40
Add the remaining herbs.
-
41
Taste for salt and pepper.
-
42
Spoon the sauce over the chicken and serve.
