CHICKEN PILAU

Steps:

• Heat 2 tablespoons of the oil in a Dutch oven; add the chicken and brown lightly, turning freqently.
• Push the chicken to the side or remove and set aside; add 1/2 cup onions and sauté 2 minutes.
• Rearrange the chicken and onion evenly in the pan; add 1 cup of chicken broth.
• Cover pan and simmer 30 minutes or until the chicken is tender.
• Remove chicken and pour the pan juices into a 2-cup measure, cool.
• When cool, skin chicken and remove the meat from the bone in large pieces.
• Set chicken aside.
• In the same Dutch oven, heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil and the diced bacon or ham.
• Sauté for about 3 minutes over medium heat.
• Add the remaining onion, green and red bell pepper, and celery.
• Sauté until the chopped onion is tender.
• Add the rice and sauté, stirring, for about 2 minutes.
• Add the 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper.
• Pour enough of the remaining chicken broth into the measuring cup with the pan juices to make 1 3/4 cups and add along with the tomatoes to the vegetables.
• Cover and simmer 25 minutes, until the rice is tender and liquid is absorbed.
• If necessary, add more chicken broth or water.
• Gently stir cooked chicken into the rice; heat through.
• Taste and add salt and pepper, if needed.
• Spoon into a serving dish and sprinkle with freshly chopped parsley.