My take on the famous French ‘40 cloves of garlic & lemon chicken’
There’s many versions out there, here I feature free range chicken breasts which can be with or without skin, & serve alongside courgette pancakes & a fresh herb salad.
Method
Preheat a heavy based frying pan over medium heat with a little
olive oil
Season the chicken with sea salt then place skin side down into
the pan to render & crisp the skin before searing on the
opposite side then lower the heat & cook through or transfer to
a preheated oven 200°C /180°C fan assisted (gas 6) for 20 minutes
until fully cooked through.
method for the sauce
In a saucepan add the garlic & cover with water, bring to a
boil then discard the water, do this 2 more times
Add the lemon, a pinch of salt & sugar & 500ml fresh
water, then simmer over a low heat until the water has fully
evaporated & the garlic turns golden
Add the stock & reduce by half
Add the cream & simmer for around 5 minutes on a low
heat
Blitz to a smooth sauce & reserve
For additional flavour deglaze the chicken pan with the
sauce.
method for the pancakes
Salt the courgette lightly for a few minutes in a colander then
squeeze out all excess moisture
Mix together flour & egg, fold through the courgette &
dill then season to taste .
In a non-stick frying pan over a medium high heat with a little
olive oil, spoon the mixture in, flatten a little & cook for a
couple of minutes each side, until golden brown with crispy edges,
this will make approximately 6 pancakes.
to serve
Slice the chicken in half, place the pancakes on the side &
spoon around the sauce. Serve with a herb salad dressed in a zingy
lemon dressing.