Umami Cooks "Chicken Thighs with White Wine and Herbs"

Umami does occasionally break out a cookbook from the Collection and venture into the kitchen.  Tonight, he's got a couple of chicken thighs thawed in the refrigerator that have to be cooked.  And he's also got a new cookbook, a birthday present from Dr. Sher, called "Two Dudes, One Pan - Maximum Flavor from a Minimalist Kitchen."  Surely, that might have something appropriate for (1) chicken and (2) Umami's absurdly minimalist kitchen?  A possible snag:  Umami's kitchen is so minimalist that he might have the necessary ingredients, so he's really hoping to find something that he can use as a basis for improvisation.

Chicken Thighs with White Wine and Herbs

Fortunately, there is a recipe for "Chicken Thighs in White Wine and Herbs."  Umami happens to have a bottle of pinot grigio that he got during the office Christmas party (well, technically, he got a box of cookies at the party, but then traded the cookies for the wine!), so that's cool.


The herbs?  The recipe calls for finely chopped "fresh marjoram," "fresh flat-leaf parsley," and "fresh thyme."  Which Umami, predictably, has none of.  He does, however, have fresh rosemary from a plant outside, and some dried thyme.  It will have to do.
Umami seasons the chicken with some "Oak-Smoked  Chardonnay Sea Salt" that he got as a present, then notices that it's a "finishing salt."  And it does seem like ordinary table salt would have sufficed.  Oh, well.


Chicken is cooked in a skillet on both sides until brown, then removed to a platter.
One tablespoon of fat and drippings are reserved, remaining fat is discarded.  Umami sauteed a half a small onion until softened (recipe calls for shallots).  Pan is deglazed with vinegar (Umami used citrus-champagne vinegar, recipe calls for sherry vinegar).  Add wine and some water until reduced.  Add herbs, butter, some salt, pour over chicken and serve . . . 
Served with some brown rice and a glass of white wine, it's a very nice meal.  The sauce is bright and acid and Umami liked it with the salt of the chicken (he over-salted, again).  And you have to have a glass of white wine because, once the bottle's been opened, it's only going to be good for so long.
All in all, good fun.  Now Umami's fed and watered and ready for Hawaii 5-0!  Aloha!