Lemon Tarragon Brined Whole Chicken Recipes

LEMON TARRAGON BRINED WHOLE CHICKEN

Steps:

• Combine 1 cup water, rind, and tarragon sprigs in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil; remove from heat. Place in a large bowl; cool to room temperature.
• Add remaining 6 cups water, salt, and sugar, stirring until salt and sugar dissolve. Place salt mixture in a 2-gallon zip-top plastic bag. Add the ice and chicken; seal.
• Refrigerate 3 hours, turning bag occasionally. Remove chicken from bag; discard brine. Pat chicken dry with paper towels.
• Prepare grill for indirect grilling, heating one side to medium and leaving one side with no heat.
• Sprinkle cavity of chicken with 1 1/2 teaspoons chopped tarragon and 1 teaspoon pepper. Lightly coat outside of chicken with cooking spray.
• Rub the remaining 1 1/2 teaspoons chopped tarragon and 1 teaspoon pepper evenly over outside of chicken. Place chicken on grill rack coated with cooking spray over unheated side.
• Close lid; grill 15 minutes. Brush chicken with 2 tablespoons lemon juice. Close lid; grill an additional 30 minutes.
• Brush with remaining lemon juice. Close lid; grill 15 minutes or until thermometer inserted into meaty part of thigh registers 180°.
• Place chicken on a platter; cover with foil. Let stand for 15 minutes. Discard the skin.

TARRAGON CHICKEN WITH LEMON

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Heat a medium-large skillet over high heat. Add the olive oil. Season the chicken all over with salt and pepper, and lay the pieces in the pan rounded-side down first (the side that had the skin). Cook the chicken, turning only once, until golden brown on both sides, about 5 minutes. Transfer chicken to an oven-proof dish, reserving the skillet. Place the chicken to the oven and bake until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the chicken registers 170 to 75 degrees F, about 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, pour the vermouth into the reserved skillet, scraping up any browned bits that cling to the pan with a wooden spoon, and cook over medium heat until the liquid reduces by about half. Add the chicken broth and continue to cook until slightly thickened.
• In a small bowl whisk a teaspoon or so of cold water with the cornstarch, then whisk the mixture into the broth and bring to a full boil. Remove from heat and add the zest, lemon juice, and tarragon. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
• Remove the chicken from the oven. Pour any pan drippings from the chicken into the sauce and stir to combine. Divide the chicken pieces between 4 plates. Pour the sauce over the chicken and serve.

WHOLE ROAST CHICKEN WITH TARRAGON AND LEMON

Steps:

• Wipe the chicken with paper towel and preheat the oven to 180 C / 170 FAN / Gas 5
• Zest the lemon and cut the remaining lemon in half.
• Place the lemon halves in the chicken and set the chicken in a roasting dish.
• Mix the butter with the tarragon, garlic, salt, pepper and lemon zest.
• Carefully ease away the skin from the breast meat as far as possible down to and around the legs.
• Divide the butter in half and spread under the skin each side.
• Cover the skin with olive oil and season with extra salt and pepper if liked.
• Roast for 1 hour 40 minutes and then check to see if the chicken is cooked through.
• When the chicken is cooked transfer to a serving plate and cover with foil.
• Skim off the fat from the roasting pan and squeeze the juice from the lemons from the chicken into the pan.
• Use a wooden spoon to loosen any crusty bits and bring the mixture to the boil on the hob.
• Add the wine and allow the mixture to bubble for a few minutes to reduce.
• Check the seasoning and serve with the chicken.