Ingredients
- 1.6 kg whole free range chicken
- Chicken fat or olive oil to cook
- 1 Tbsp butter, softened
- 4 banana shallots peeled & halved from root to tip
- 3 carrots, sliced thickly on the diagonal
- 1 small celeriac, peeled & diced
- 500g small potatoes, halved
- 8 cloves garlic peeled
- 2 bay leaves
- small bunch fresh thyme, leaves chopped
- 150ml chicken stock or broth
- 150ml dry white wine
- 1 jar butter or haricot beans (Bold bean co are my go to)
- 1 lemon juice & zest reserved
- Sea salt & cracked black pepper taste
- Cornflour (optional)
Introduction
‘Poulet au pot’ a great French country classic, chicken pot roasted with wine , herbs & vegetables all in one pot to capture bold yet simple flavours. The quality of the chicken is paramount & the beans add extra richness to the roasting juices.Method
- Heat the oven to 180°C / 350°F / Gas 4.
- Rub the chicken all over with the butter, then season well with salt and pepper, inside and out. Tie the legs together with kitchen twine.
- Heat a little oil in a large heavy-based casserole dish, add the onions, carrots, celeriac, garlic & cook over medium high heat until the vegetables start to soften and brown, around 5 minutes. Add the potatoes, bay leaves & thyme to the pot then pour the chicken stock and white wine into the pot, bring to the boil then remove from the heat.
- Place the chicken on top of the vegetables then squeeze over the lemon juice. Cover with a tightly fitting lid then roast in the preheated oven for 1 hour and 30 minutes, removing the lid for the last 20 minutes adding the beans at this point so the chicken gets nice & golden brown.
- If you prefer the juices a little thicker add a teaspoon of corn flour with cold water & stir into the hot liquid.
- Remove from the oven, scatter over the lemon zest mixed with thyme leaves & a little sea salt then allow to rest for 20minutes.
- Divide the chicken, vegetables & juices between warmed plates and enjoy.
to serve
Simply serve with fresh crusty baguette & a glass of chilled white wine.