ONE-POTCHICKENWITHDATES
ANDCARAMELISED LEMON
SERVES 4-6
1.8kgchickenor1.25kgbone-in, skin-on
chickenthighsorlegs
Saltandfreshlyground black pepper
4 tbsoliveoil
1 lemon,cutintothick slices crossways,
seedsremoved
2 shallots,halvedlengthways
4-6medjooldates,pitted
4 thymeororegano sprigs, plus extra to
serve
2 tspgroundurfachilli(driedTurkishchilli
- fromgourmetfood shops. Substitute
1 tspchilliflakes)
Flaky sea salt
Preheattheovento215°C.
Seasonthechickenalloverwithsaltand
pepper.Heat2 tbsoftheoilina large
flameproofcasseroledishovermedium–
high heat. Place the chicken in the pot,
breast-sideup.Usingtongs,presslightly
tomakesuretheskincomesintoeven
contactwiththebottomofthepot.This
is yourchancetobrownthelegsand
renderthatexcessfat!It’srarelyofferedin
whole-chickenrecipes,sotakeadvantage.
(Ifusingparts,justsear the chicken
skin-sidedown.)
Cook,withoutmovingit,until
thechickenis niceandbrowned,
5-8minutes.Seriously,nopeeking!
Nothingexcitingwillhappen before
5 minutes,I promiseyou.
Addthelemonslicesandshallot,
manoeuvringthechickenhoweveryou
needsothatthelemonslicescomeinto
contactwiththebottomofthepot.Let
everythingsizzleinthechickenfatuntil
lightlycaramelised,about2 minutes.
Addthedates,herbsand 250 ml
(1 cup)water.Sprinklethetopofthe
chickenwiththechilliandplacethelid
on.Transfertotheovenandroastuntil
the dates are plump, the lemon slices arejammy,andthechickenis almostbutnot
totallycookedthrough,20-25minutes.
(Thechickenwilllookmostlycooked
through,anda littleanaemicfrom
havingbeencoveredwiththelid.)
Removethelidanddrizzlethechicken
withtheremaining2 tbsoliveoil.
Continuetocookuntiltheliquidhas
reducedbyhalf,andthetopofthe
chickenis anillustrious,glistening
goldenbrown,another20-30minutes
(dependingonwhetheryou’re using
parts,ora wholebird).
Letthechickenrestinthepotfor
10 minutes,thentransfertoa cutting
boardandcarve.Servealongsidethe
shallot,lemonslicesanddates,withsome
morethymeandflakysaltsprinkledover.
DOAHEADThischickencanbecooked
afewhoursahead,thenkeptinthe
casseroledishatroomtemperature.
If youwishtoreheatit beforeserving,
popit backintotheovenwithoutthe
lid on for 10-15 minutes or so.102 delicious.com.au