Description
Roast chicken with croutons brings French countryside charm to classic comfort food. Golden-brown poultry nestled on crispy bread soaks up rich pan juices, delivering robust flavor that draws you into a memorable culinary experience.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 1 roaster chicken (4–5 pounds)
Herbs and Seasonings:
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 6 sprigs fresh thyme
- 2 sprigs fresh rosemary
- 1 teaspoon chopped fresh rosemary
- 1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme
Accompaniments and Liquid Ingredients:
- 1 head garlic, sliced in half
- ½ medium yellow onion
- 1 baguette
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into tablespoon pieces
- ½ cup low-sodium chicken broth
- ⅔ cup white wine
- ⅓ cup chicken stock
- Dijon mustard, as needed
Bistro Salad Ingredients:
- 1 head Bibb lettuce, torn into bite-size pieces
- ¼ cup chopped mixed fresh herbs (chives, tarragon, parsley)
- 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons champagne vinegar
- 2 tablespoons minced shallots
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 425°F (218°C). Position a cast-iron skillet inside the oven for approximately 5 minutes to create an intense, even heating surface.
- Use paper towels to thoroughly dry the chicken, removing excess moisture which prevents proper browning.
- Create a seasoning blend by combining kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper, and garlic powder in a small mixing bowl.
- Generously coat the entire chicken with the seasoning mixture, ensuring complete coverage for maximum flavor penetration.
- Prepare aromatics by gathering fresh thyme, rosemary sprigs, whole garlic cloves, and quartered onion to enhance the chicken’s internal flavor profile.
- Carefully stuff the chicken cavity with the prepared aromatics, distributing them evenly to infuse the meat during roasting.
- Slice the baguette diagonally into 2-inch thick pieces, creating wide, sturdy bread platforms for the chicken.
- Spread unsalted butter generously on one side of each baguette slice, which will crisp and caramelize during roasting.
- Extract the scorching hot skillet from the oven and strategically arrange the buttered baguette slices across the bottom, buttered-side facing down.
- Gently place the seasoned chicken atop the bread slices, ensuring complete coverage of the baguette pieces.
- Pour of chicken broth into the skillet, creating moisture and preventing potential burning.
- Roast the chicken for 1 hour at 425°F (218°C), allowing the skin to develop a golden, crispy exterior.
- Reduce oven temperature to 375°F (190°C), add remaining broth, and continue roasting for an additional 15-20 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Remove chicken from oven and let it rest, tented with aluminum foil, for 10 minutes to redistribute internal juices.
- Transfer skillet to stovetop and heat over medium-high temperature to prepare the pan sauce.
- Deglaze the skillet with white wine, scraping accumulated browned bits from the bottom to intensify flavor.
- Add chicken stock and any accumulated chicken juices, allowing the liquid to reduce slightly.
- Incorporate cold butter gradually, whisking until seamlessly melted and sauce becomes glossy.
- Season pan sauce with fresh rosemary, thyme, salt, and pepper to enhance complexity.
- Carve the roasted chicken and serve alongside crispy baguette slices, accompanied by pan sauce, Dijon mustard, and a complementary bistro salad.
Notes
- Fridge storage keeps leftovers fresh for 3-4 days, wrapped tightly in an airtight container.
- Homemade croutons elevate flavor and add delightful crunch compared to store-bought versions.
- Experiment with different bread types like sourdough or whole wheat for unique texture variations.
- Fresh herbs can transform the salad’s taste, so chop them just before mixing for maximum aroma.
- Room temperature ingredients blend more smoothly and develop richer, more integrated flavors.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 610 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg