Description
Barefoot Contessa’s million dollar chicken blends Mediterranean and French culinary traditions with roasted poultry perfection. Rich herb-infused flavors elevate this classic dish, inviting you to savor each carefully prepared bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.6 kg (3.5 lbs) whole chicken, organic
- 240 ml (8 fl oz) crème fraîche
- 1 lemon, zested and juiced
- 1 lemon
- 1 slice sourdough, 2 cm (0.8 inches) thick
- 1 tbsp shallots, grated on fine zester
- 5 sprigs fresh thyme
- 3–4 garlic cloves, lightly smashed
- 1 tsp Aleppo pepper
- 1 bay leaf
- Kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- Olive oil
- Maldon salt
Instructions
- Preparation: Remove chicken from refrigerator 30 minutes before cooking. Preheat oven to 425°F. Lightly oil a roasting pan and place a sourdough bread slice in the center as a flavorful base.
- Chicken Placement: Position chicken on bread, thoroughly coating with olive oil or melted butter to ensure a golden, crispy exterior.
- Roasting Process: Roast chicken for 40-50 minutes, basting every 12-15 minutes with pan drippings to maintain moisture and enhance flavor profile.
- Glaze Creation: Whisk crème fraîche, lemon zest, lemon juice, shallots, and Aleppo pepper in a mixing bowl to create a rich, tangy coating.
- Glazing Technique: When chicken is nearly cooked (with slightly pink juices and movable legs), apply first layer of crème fraîche mixture, allowing caramelization under intense heat.
- Final Glazing: Brush on second glaze layer, creating a rich golden-brown skin with a glossy, caramelized finish.
- Resting Period: Remove chicken from oven and let rest for 10 minutes, allowing juices to redistribute and ensure tender, moist meat.
- Serving Presentation: Slice sourdough bread, plate alongside chicken, and garnish with fresh lemon wedges and a sprinkle of Maldon salt for added flavor dimension.
- Alternative Method: For enhanced caramelization, roast chicken until nearly done, halve, brush with crème fraîche glaze, and broil to achieve a crispy, golden finish.
Notes
- Temper Chicken Wisely: Remove chicken from refrigerator 30 minutes before cooking to guarantee even roasting and prevent uneven cooking.
- Moisture Mastery: Baste chicken every 12-15 minutes with pan drippings to maintain juiciness and develop deeper flavor profiles.
- Glaze Game Changer: Apply crème fraîche mixture in multiple layers, allowing each to caramelize for an incredibly rich, golden-brown exterior with complex taste.
- Resting Ritual: Allow chicken to rest 10 minutes after roasting to redistribute internal juices, ensuring tender, succulent meat that doesn’t dry out quickly.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg