Braised Chicken with Fennel and White Beans

I got a fennel and didn't quite know what to do with it. I love the flavor of fennel. It is what they use to flavor black licorice. And like I've mentioned before, I LOVE black licorice! That being said I had no idea how it would taste in food, with other things besides treats and candy. I searched and found the original recipe here. The title sounds like it's a hard gourmet dish to make, but it was actually easy, just a little bit of cutting. I was surprised by the flavor, very sweet. It didn't taste like black licorice at all. I was so shocked by it that I took it to two different families to have them try some. There reactions was it was delicious, sweet, and the flavors complement each other very well. So if you're in the mood to try something new, try cooking with fennel with this recipe. :]

Braised Chicken with Fennel and White Beans

Ingredients

10 chicken tenders

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon pepper

1 small onion, sliced

2 large garlic cloves, finely chopped

1 fennel bulb, quartered, cored, thinly sliced

1 medium red bell pepper

1/2 green bell pepper

1 small orange bell pepper

1 28 oz can diced tomatoes

1/2 cup white grape juice

1 can white beans, drained and rinsed

1 tablespoon dried parsley flakes

1 1/2 tablespoons butter (ICBNB spray)

Directions

In a deep pot, heat butter over medium-high heat. Sprinkle chicken with salt and pepper. Add chicken to pot. Cook 5 to 6 minutes, turning occasionally, until chicken is light golden brown. Remove chicken from pan. Add onion, garlic, fennel, and bell peppers. Cook 2 to 3 minutes, stirring constantly, until vegetables are crisp-tender. Add chicken, tomatoes, and white grape juice. Heat to boiling. Reduce heat, cover and simmer 20 t 25 minutes or until chicken is tender. Uncover, and stir in beans and parsley. Cook about 5 minutes longer or until sauce is slightly thickened with juice of chicken is cooked through. Serve in shallow bowls. The Crusty Boule bread from here would be wonderful to dip into this dish with it's wonderful flavors.