Monday, February 13, 2012

Buttermilk Roast Chicken

From Smitten Kitchen

2 cups buttermilk
5 garlic cloves, peeled and smashed
1 tablespoon table salt
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons paprika, plus extra for sprinkling (I used Hungarian, a smoked one would also be delicious)
Lots of freshly ground black pepper
2 1/2 to 3 pounds chicken parts (we used all legs)
Drizzle of olive oil
Flaked or coarse sea salt, to finish

Whisk buttermilk with garlic, table salt, sugar, paprika and lots of freshly ground black pepper in a bowl. Place chicken parts in a gallon-sized freezer bag (or lidded container) and pour buttermilk brine over them, then swish it around so that all parts are covered. Refrigerate for at least 2 but preferably 24 and up to 48 hours.

When ready to roast, preheat oven to 425 degrees. Line a baking dish with foil (not absolutely necessary, but Nigella suggested it and I never minded having dish that cleaned up easily). Remove chicken from buttermilk brine and arrange in dish. Drizzle lightly with olive oil, then sprinkle with additional paprika and sea salt to taste. Roast for 30 minutes (for legs; approximately 35 to 40 for breasts), until brown and a bit scorched in spots. Serve immediately. We enjoyed it with wild rice and green beans one night; roasted potatoes and, uh, more green beans another. (Yes, I have a habit.)

1 comment:

  1. Roast Chicken from Pioneer Woman

    Ingredients

    1 whole Chicken, Rinsed And Patted Dry
    ¾ cups Butter, Softened
    3 whole Lemons
    4 sprigs Rosemary
    Salt And Pepper, to taste

    Preparation Instructions

    Preheat oven to 400 degrees (convection bake. If you’re using a standard oven, you can do 425.)

    Zest two of the lemons. Strip the leaves off of one of the rosemary sprigs and chop it up finely.

    In a bowl, combine softened butter, lemon zest, rosemary, and salt and pepper to taste.

    Line a baking sheet with heavy duty aluminum foil and lay the patted-dry chicken on the foil, breast side up.

    Use your fingers to smear the butter mixture all over the chicken, under the skin, and inside the cavity. Cut the lemons in half and squeeze the juice of one lemon all over the chicken. Place the six lemon halves (if they’ll fit!) and the three remaining rosemary leaves into the cavity of the bird.

    Place the chicken into the oven and roast it for 1 hour, 15 minutes or until done. Skin should be deep golden brown and juices should be sizzling.

    Carve/cut up to your heart’s content and dig in!

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