Spicy Chicken Okra Stew

Name: Spicy Chicken Okra Stew
Ingredients: 1/4 cup vegetable oil; 1 medium onion, halved and sliced; 2 bay leaves; 1 1/2 tablespoons kosher salt, plus additional for seasoning; 2 teaspoons ground allspice; 1 heaping teaspoon dried thyme; 1/3 cup tomato paste; Freshly ground black pepper; 8 skinless, bone-in chicken thighs (about 2 1/2 pounds); 3 1/2 cups water; 1 Scotch bonnet chile, pierced (if you like it really hot, mince it); 8 ounces fresh okra, trimmed, halved crosswise; 3 thick sweet potatoes (about 2 pounds), each cut into 4 rounds with skin on; 1 bunch collard greens (about 1 pound), stems removed, chopped