Tomato and Shallot Braised Chicken Thighs, and Mascarpone Cheesecake

Dinner and dessert! These Braised Cherry Tomato and Shallot Chicken Thighs are melt-in-your-mouth tender and loaded with extraordinary flavor!  For dessert, more melt-in-your-mouth pleasure with a super creamy Mascarpone Cheesecake!

I’ve never been a huge fan of those network morning talk shows that dominate our TV’s from 9 am until noon. Regis and Kelly? As great as they are, they’re really loud and cheery at a time when I’m still trying to pry my eyelids open.  When I was at the rehab facility for my knee last year, I had an older roommate (for a month) who would blast Regis and Kelly every single morning. I almost smothered myself with pillows, 5 days a week, trying to cover every sense above the neck.

I can’t even begin to tell you how happy I was when the month was up.

Braised Chicken Thighs with Garlic Honey Mustard, and Shallots! Melt-in-your-mouth tender and loaded with flavor!

Last week as I was getting dressed, my TV, which seems to have a mind of its own at times, decided it wanted to watch one of those shows. It wasn’t too bad since it was Martha Stewart, and loud and perky aren’t adjectives you would use to describe Martha Stewart.  Martha is staid and cool as a cucumber as she cooks, bakes and makes elaborate chandeliers out of paper clips. Anyone who can do that and still tend to farm animals and every vegetable, herb and flower garden known to man, is pretty cool in my book. Love her.

Braised Chicken Thighs with Garlic Honey Mustard, and Shallots! Melt-in-your-mouth tender and loaded with flavor!

On this particular show, which stopped me mid-dress to actually pay attention, she had some of her cooks from a show called Everyday Food promoting a new cookbook.  John Barricelli (the baker dude) made an apple brown betty and a ricotta lemon tart, and both looked great, but what really caught my eye and taste buds were these braised chicken thighs with shallots that some nice lady whipped up.  Of course I had to get the recipe and try it, so I did.

So, today’s post was dinner and dessert at my house last night. I think these are the best braised chicken thighs I’ve ever had. I also made a mind-blasting mascarpone cheesecake, (which I’ll get to after I sing the praises of these drool-inducing braised chicken thighs) that I’m still thinking about as I type this, trying hard not to grab a fork and eat two more slices of it.

I’ve never been a huge fan of braised chicken of any sort because it has a tendency to dry out, but this recipe completely changed me.  First off, using chicken thighs is a must.  I think cut up or even whole chicken breasts might end up a little dry.  Secondly, the mustard, garlic and honey literally seeps into each chicken thigh, flavoring it inside-out, which I haven’t encountered very often with braised chicken.

Does the phrase ‘Lick your plate clean’ entice you? It should, because you will do just that.  I know it seems like a lot of shallots, but believe me, they melt into the mustard, garlic and honey braised chicken sauce and catapult the flavor of the braised chicken to the point where you might utter an involuntary, “OMFG”.

That said, I added the honey to these braised chicken thighs, and it really gasses it up a bit, but you know what? It really doesn’t need it because the melted shallots provide just the right amount of sweetness to counteract the mustard. You’ve got to try these braised chicken thighs.  I’d be shocked if any of you were disappointed.

KILLER Mascarpone Cheesecake. A slice of creamy, fluffy heaven.

On another yummy note, while looking for a great way to use up the rest of the homemade mascarpone cheese from the Daring Bakers Tiramisu challenge, I came across a cheesecake that has comfortably settled into my top 5 cheesecakes of all time, along with Abbey’s Infamous Cheesecake from the Daring Bakers April ’09 challenge.

Yes, the amount of mascarpone in ratio to the amount of cream cheese makes you wonder why it’s called Mascarpone Cheesecake, but that small amount provides such a rich flavor and creamy texture, I won’t ever question it again.  So, you have three elements of creamy in this cheesecake – cream cheese, mascarpone cheese, and sour cream!

The only thing I did differently was bake it a bit longer than the recipe states, but that’s because my oven tends to run a little off-kilter at times, so 10 minutes longer is probably the way to go.  Oh, and I drizzled it (shaky hands; blog stage fright) with some of the leftover caramel sauce (again) from my take on the Tiramisu challenge. Once again, you must try this cheesecake.

If you try either the braised chicken thighs or the mascarpone cheesecake, or both, I hope you enjoy them as much as everyone here did! I think I can pry my eyelids open for more morning Martha from hereon in.

Finally..*drum roll, please* – the winner of the free lotion, according to random integer.com, issss…Claudia of Honey from Rock, who was the 60th comment.  Send your name and addy to [email protected], Claudia, and Skin MD will send your free bottle right out to you :).

Braised Chicken Thighs with Garlic Honey Mustard, and Shallots! Melt-in-your-mouth tender and loaded with flavor!

Braised Tomato and Shallot Chicken Thighs and Mascarpone Cheesecake

If you’re feeling especially ambitious, how about making the mascarpone cheese from scratch? It’s actually super easy!

Braised Shallot Chicken Thighs with Burst Tomatoes
Prep time: 
Cook time: 
Total time: 
Yield: 4 to 8 servings
 
ingredients:
  • 8 bone-in, skinless chicken thighs (about 2½ pounds total)
  • Coarse salt and ground pepper
  • ¼ cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 pound small shallots (about 12), peeled and halved
  • 5 garlic cloves, peeled and halved
  • ½ cup dry white wine
  • 3 tablespoons honey
  • 4 tablespoons Dijon mustard
  • 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
  • Fresh. torn tarragon leaves, to taste and for garnish (optional)
directions:
  1. Season chicken with salt and pepper; coat with flour, shaking off excess.
  2. In a Dutch oven or 5-quart pot with a tight-fitting lid, heat oil over medium-high. Cook chicken until browned, 3 to 4 minutes per side. Remove; set aside.
  3. Add shallots and garlic; cook, stirring occasionally, until slightly softened and golden brown, about 5 minutes. Add wine; cook until evaporated, 3 to 5 minutes. Stir in honey, mustard and 1½ cups water; bring to a boil.
  4. Return chicken, bone side down, to pot. Reduce heat to a simmer, cover, and cook until chicken is tender and cooked through, 30 to 35 minutes. Transfer chicken to a plate; loosely tent with aluminum foil to keep warm. Add tomatoes to pot; season with salt and pepper. Cook on high until sauce has thickened, 6 to 8 minutes. Reduce heat to medium-low, and return chicken to pot; cook until heated through. Serve, garnished with tarragon, if desired.

KILLER Mascarpone Cheesecake. A slice of creamy, fluffy heaven.
Super Creamy Mascarpone Cheesecake
Prep time: 
Cook time: 
Total time: 
Yield: 10 to 12 servings
 
Cooling and chilling time total: 8 to 12 hours
Recipe from Epicurious.com
ingredients:
Crust
  • 2⅓ cups ground vanilla wafers ground in food processor (about 70 vanilla wafers)
  • 2⅓ cups
Cheesecake
  • 2½ eight-ounce packages cream cheese, softened
  • 8 oz mascarpone cheese at room temperature (about 1 cup)
  • ¾ cup sugar
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
Topping
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • ¼ cup sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
  • ⅛ teaspoon salt
directions:
For the crust
  1. Place oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 350°F. Butter bottom and side of a 9-inch springform pan.
  2. Mix together cookie crumbs and butter in a bowl or pulse together in the food processor. Reserve ¼ cup buttered crumbs for the top of the cheesecake.
  3. Dump the rest of the crumbs into your buttered springform pan. Pat on the bottom and up the sides, keeping it about 1-inch thick. I like to use a flat glass bottom to really pack it in.
  4. Place springform pan with crust on the middle rack of your oven. Bake for 10 minutes, then cool on a wire rack while you make the filling. Cool at least 25 minutes. Leave oven at 350°F.
For the filling
  1. Beat cream cheese, mascarpone, and sugar in a large bowl with an electric mixer or in the bowl of a stand mixer at medium high speed until fluffy, about 3 to 5 minutes. Add eggs 1 at a time, beating each egg in until well blended. ith the mixer on low, add vanilla, lemon juice, and salt and mix until combined. Pour filling into cooled crust and bake until cheesecake is set and puffed around edge but still jiggles slightly when pan is shaken gently, about 25 to 30 minutes. Cool in springform pan on rack, about 20 minutes. Cheesecake will continue to set as it cools. Leave the oven on.
For the topping
  1. Stir together sour cream, sugar, vanilla, lemon juice, and salt in a small bowl and gently spoon over cheesecake, spreading evenly, leaving a ¼-inch border around edge.
  2. Bake cheesecake until topping is set, about 10 minutes. Run a thin knife around edge to prevent cracking. Sprinkle top with reserved crumbs and cool completely in pan on rack, then chill, covered loosely, for at least 8 hours.
notes:
Cheesecake can be chilled, loosely covered, up to 3 days. Cut cake with a long, thin sharp knife dipped in a tall glass of hot water.

Start this lovely braised chicken and cheesecake meal with a salad, and make sure you have some bread on hand because the braised chicken gravy is off the planet! A guy friend actually ate it with a gigantic spoon. Oh, good gravy, indeed!

Braised Chicken Thighs with Garlic Honey Mustard, Tomatoes and Shallots! Melt-in-your-mouth tender and loaded with flavor!

The Creamiest, smoothest, most velvety mascarpone cheesecake you will ever have. 168 4-star reviews don't lie! 99% will make again! #cheesecake #mascarponecheesecake #creamcheese #sourcream

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46 Responses to Tomato and Shallot Braised Chicken Thighs, and Mascarpone Cheesecake

  1. GREAT pix. Absolutely tantalizing.

  2. Oooh…I’m drooling over here! That looks amazing.

  3. Oh sweety Lisa Michele(im sure many told ya how beautiful ur name is …),when u talk about food network and all those shows ,i tell u how muc i would have loved to have ’em ….coz we only have travel and living out here…..

    I’d dont think u’ll be shocked anywhere here coz everybody is simply going to love this recipe……i did too….this one is a winner or atleast all that u have are…;-))))

    and all ur other links are bookmarked too…yeah u spoke my heart…i so wanted to make that cheesecake and also mascaporne…..fantastic….a great recipe and fantastic links too……
    cheers and a deliciously delightfully fantastic happy sunday to ya….

  4. Dan says:

    WOW that chicken looks fantastic. Wish I could eat that right now. My mouth is watering. Your pictures are great.

  5. Sophie says:

    Excellent pictures!!!

    The cheesecake loks fab!!! The braised chicken looks grand as well!

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  7. Rosa says:

    Congrats to the winner!

    That chicken dish looks delicious! OMG, what a luscious cheesecake! So creamy…

    Cheers,

    Rosa

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  9. Valerie says:

    Hmmmm… That chicken does sound yummy – and your pictures certainly make it look yummy! And that is a lot of shallots, but ever since I made “Chicken with Forty Garlic Cloves”, no amount of spices can survive (the garlic almost completely mellowed out during the braising process, so I can see how the shallots would too).

    The cheesecake looks perfectly creamy and luscious!

    I’m with you on the excessive perkiness of morning talk shows, including cooking shows. I like cooking hosts who strike a good balance between friendly and efficient, enthusiastic and calm.

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  11. Memoria says:

    The food looks amazing!!!! Goodness! Congrats to the winner!

  12. Natalie says:

    mmm this all looks so good 🙂
    I made that daring bakers cheesecake in april ’09 it was the best homemade cheesecake ive ever had..its the only one thats ever worked out properly for me actually! yumm!!

  13. MandyM says:

    That cheesecake looks soooo creamy! I wasn’t a cheesecake fan until I made my own (I came across the recipe the Daring Bakers used before I became a member) and since then, I love the stuff. The mascarpone cheesecake recipe sounds fantastic too, will have to give that a try!

    Also, the chicken looks great. I’m always looking for more meals that sort of just cook themselves, taste great, on the healthy side of life and are great as leftovers the next day, this looks like it fits the profile!

  14. Sue says:

    May I come to your house for dinner? Pleeeease! 🙂

  15. Lori says:

    Oh indeed that looks very, lick your plate clean, kind of yummy.

  16. Julie says:

    Say what you will about Martha, that girl can turn out a tasty chicken! Yours looks yummy 🙂

  17. Katrina says:

    Ok, the cheesecake looks fantastic. Getting ready for a cheesecake showdown with some friends. Hmm?

  18. trissalicious says:

    How lucky are we to have two fantastic recipes from you – I forgot about that cheesecake – I wasnt in daring bakers then but I heard it was the BEST!

    And that chicken – well, it’s just gorgeous – it looks so hearty!

  19. kellypea says:

    Ah, you’ve got my attention with both recipes. LOVE the ingredient list in that chicken recipe. The tarragon is interesting… And the cheesecake? Well now I seriously have the motivation to make the DB tiramisu I’m lagging on.

  20. Arlette says:

    I do agree with you about the tv talk shows… They control all stations in the morning. I wish they are interesting to watch or hear.

    Gorgeous looking cheesecake and chicken dish, both are favourites. We consume lots of chicken and a new recipe is always welcome.
    Beautiful photos… Great posting, Congratulation to the winner.

  21. pragmaticattic says:

    Both recipes sound and look amazing. A pound of shallots? Plus garlic and white wine and Dijon? As my grandmother used to say: with all those ingredients how could it not be good?

  22. Abbey T. says:

    Oh yum! That chicken looks amazing. I absolutely LOVE shallots. As for the cheesecake, that sounds scrumptious – I’ve never made one with mascarpone, but I may have to try…

    I’m actually the “Abbey” of the infamous cheesecake recipe you so kindly praised. 🙂 I remember seeing your beautiful blood-orange rendition and being blown away – so stunning, and definitely one of my favorites from the challenge.

  23. bakingaddict says:

    I was thinking of making a cheesecake as well from leftover mascarpone from the DB challenge. Thanks for the recipe. Hope I get round to it soon. I don’t cook much but that chicken looks really delicious. Still going with the cookies for the moment 🙂

  24. Juliana says:

    Lisa, both the chicken and the cheesecake look delicious…what a great meal 🙂

  25. Claudia says:

    Thanks for the lotion. And, a fabulous recipe, which I plan to make this week. The only time I listen to those cooking shows is in the dentist’s chair. Does take ones mind off the drill.

  26. junglefrog says:

    O yeeezz, that looks good! Both the chicken and the cheesecake… Hmm, I should have thought of using that mascarpone in a cheesecake too… Maybe I should just make the mascarpone again…

  27. 5 Star Foodie says:

    The chicken looks so savory delicious and comforting and I would so love a slice of that yummy cheesecake!

  28. That chicken dish looks like it would be areal winner with my MrP… and the cheesecake too LOL. I need a good cheesecake recipe for my repertoire.
    *kisses* HH

  29. ingrid says:

    Hey, Lisa! Two post in one week? You go girl! 🙂

    How are you and the knee doing?

    I wanna know who you’ve been feeding lately? Who’s the lucky devil getting all this yummy food?

    I’ll be trying out both recipes soon though I’m going to use chicken breasts instead of thighs. I know, less flavor, blah, blah, blah but if I have to eat chicken on the bone it needs to be a white meat.
    ~ingrid

  30. Madam Chow says:

    You’ve convinced me to try BOTH of them. I think I may have missed that cheesecake recipe last year – it was CRAZY, with a lot of travel and a lot of family health issues. My husband is a chicken fanatic, and I’ve been looking for a new recipe to try!

  31. Rose says:

    You crack me up! I love to hate Martha. How can you not?! These dishes look FREAKING DELICIOUS!

  32. Looks lovey….especially the second photo with the pasta. Yummy and the cheescake…mascarpone…..ohhhhh

  33. I have 4 little suprises for u on the link below .which jus might be the last at VAnillaStrawberrySpringfields co z i’ll be moving to BSM soon….
    So do hop and see why i think u are a fantastic, creative blogger and my happy pals…cheers and so do hope u enjoy it too….
    http://vanillastrawberryspringfields.blogspot.com/2010/03/wedding-stori-valentine-wedding-cake.html

  34. Elle says:

    Usually I would be drooling over the cheesecake, but that chicken looks and sounds amazing! So stealing the recipe!

  35. Jamie says:

    Ooh your braised chicken certainly caught my eye! We love food like this for dinner! Great recipe! And I ain’t no cheesecake eater but my does that look really good!

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  38. Hannah says:

    Ok, I made this tonight and wow. So much wow. It was sweet and savoury and perfect. I served it with mashed baby potatoes with the skins on and everyone gobbled it up. Thank you so much for this wonderful recipe.

    • Lisa says:

      You’re welcome, Hannah! I’m so glad you and your family enjoyed it so much! It’s on a pretty frequent rotation here 🙂

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  40. Hey there,

    I just wanted to thank you for this recipe. I’ve made it a few times and it’s a go-to for a meal of comfort food.

    Thanks again!

    • Lisa says:

      Hi, Taylor! Im so glad you like it, but you can thank Everyday Food (Martha’s posse) for this one. I made some subtle changes, but they created it from the bottom up. It’s a comfort food staple here too, and with the cool weather coming, it’ll be back in our weekly rotation soon!

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  42. Colleen says:

    Had the chicken for dinner last week – followed the recipe exactly ..it was FABULOUS! Everyone loved it, the flavours were wonderful and the sauce so delicious – really wanted more of it! Can I double it? Thanks for this great recipe.

    • Lisa says:

      Oh, you can definitely double it, Colleen! That said, thank Everyday Food – I just made small changes to their recipe to suit my liking 🙂 So glad you loved it!!

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