Brighten Up Dinner with This Pepper Chicken Stew

With winter fast approaching and the days growing shorter, I often find myself craving something bright and sunny, and yet the cooler weather outside warrants something richer. This vibrant stew fits the bill with a burst of sunny colors and bright flavors that take you back to summer, but with big chunks of chicken in a hearty sauce that will also keep you warm and satisfied.

Although the name may sound spicy, this stew is about as mild as they come. That's because the peppers used are paprika and bell peppers. While most people think of peppers as a way to add heat, in many cultures, peppers are added to bring sweetness to a dish.

In this dish, the peppers together with the tomatoes contribute fruity notes and a sweet and sour taste that plays nicely with the savory chicken. The best part of using chicken over another meat such as beef is that it cooks tender much faster. With a few tablespoons of tomato paste, this stew tastes like it's been simmering for hours, when all it takes is a few minutes of browning, a few minutes of caramelizing, and about ten minutes of simmering.