Chicken in a Pot

 

Chicken in a Pot….a simple name for a simple dish.  But when it is the answer to “What’s for dinner?”,  Chicken in a Pot will bring smiles all around.  As with most simple recipes, the quality of ingredients is paramount.  This tasty bird is a Poulet Rouge Fermier from Joyce Farms and can be ordered here.  I bought this particular one at our local Whole Foods.

A quick unsolicited shout-out to Le Creuset  and their lifetime warranty department who  replaced my 17 year old tried and true dutch oven after it developed a crack.  They even called to let me to choose any color.  Merci!

*****************************************

1 free-range chicken

salt and pepper

1 tablespoon butter

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 head of garlic, cloves separated but unpeeled

2 sprigs fresh rosemary leaves, chopped

1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves

1 cup dry white wine

1 cup chicken stock

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.   Rinse the chicken, dry with paper towels, then season generously with salt and pepper.  Melt the butter and the oil in a dutch oven over medium high heat and brown the chicken on all sides.  Remove the chicken, add the garlic, rosemary and thyme and cook together for one minute.  Return the chicken to the pot, add the wine and the chicken broth and bring to a simmer.  Baste the chicken with the liquid a few times then cover and bake in the preheated oven until done.  Timing will depend upon the size of your bird…3 1/2 pound chicken takes approximately 1 hour, 15 minutes (165 degrees for the breasts and 170 for the leg/thighs)

Carve and serve with pan juices and the flesh of the sweet, mellow garlic cloves.

******************************************************