Ingredients:

  Amount  Measure       Ingredient -- Preparation Method
--------  ------------  --------------------------------
   1                    chicken -- 3.5-4.5 lb.
     1/3  cup           flour
   1      teaspoon      salt
     1/2  teaspoon      freshly ground pepper
     1/2  teaspoon      dried thyme leaves
     1/8  teaspoon      cayenne
   3      tablespoons   vegetable oil
   2      medium        onions -- chopped
   6      ounces        lean smoked ham -- diced (opt)
   4      cups          chicken stock
   1      can           peeled whole tomatoes -- (28 oz.)
                         -- drained and
                         -- quartered
   1      small         green bell pepper -- diced
   1                    bay leaf
   2      cups          fresh shelled lima beans or
   1      package       frozen -- thawed (10 oz.)
   2      cups          corn kernels -- fresh or frozen

Preparation:

Cut chicken into 10 serving pieces: 2 drumsticks, 2 thighs, 2 wings, and 4 breast pieces. Trim of as much fat as possible. Rinse and let drain. In a shallow bowl, mix the flour, salt, pepper, thyme and cayenne. Dredge the damp chicken pieces in the seasoned flour. In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of the oil over moderately high heat. Dredge the chicken again if the coating looks damp, and shake any excess back into the bowl. Reserve the excess seasoned flour. Add the chicken pieces to the pan in a single layer without crowding, in batches if necessary, and cook, turning, until golden brown, about 7 minutes per batch. Lower the heat if necessary about 1/2 way through, so the fat doesn't burn. Remove the chicken to a large flame proof casserole. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil and the onions to the skillet. Cook over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until soft, about 3 minutes. Add the ham and cook until lightly browned, about 3 minutes longer. Sprinkle the reserved seasoned flour over the ham and onions and cook., stirring, 30-45 seconds. Pour in half the stock. Bring to a boil, scraping up any brown bits from the bottom of the pan. Boil stirring, until slightly thickened. Pour everything in the skillet over the chicken in the casserole. Add the tomatoes, the remaining stock, the green pepper, and the bay leaf. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to moderately low, and simmer, partially covered, 15 minutes. Add the lima beans and corn and simmer uncovered until the chicken and vegetables are tender, 10 to 12 minutes longer. Skim any fat off the top of the sauce. Remove and discard the bay leaf and season with additional salt and pepper to taste before serving