Splayed Skillet Roast Chicken Recipes

SPLAYED ROAST CHICKEN WITH CARAMELIZED RAMPS

Steps:

• Rub the chicken inside and out with salt and pepper. If you have time, do this 2 to 3 hours ahead and refrigerate the bird uncovered. Otherwise, let it rest uncovered at room temperature while oven heats.
• Place a large cast-iron or other heavy skillet in the oven and heat to 500 degrees for 45 minutes. If you salted the chicken in advance, take it out of the fridge so it can warm to room temperature.
• Meanwhile, prep the ramps: trim the hairy bottoms and remove the outer layer of skin. Separate the leaves from the bulbs, rinse both gently, and pat dry. Cut any fat bulbs (wider than a pencil) in half lengthwise. Tear the leaves into large pieces.
• Transfer the chicken to a cutting board. Using a sharp knife, cut the skin connecting the legs to the body. Splay the thighs open until you feel the joint pop on each side. Place 2 lemon wedges inside the chicken.
• Carefully transfer chicken, breast-side up, to the hot skillet. Press down on the legs so they rest flat on the bottom of the pan. Drizzle the bird with the oil. Roast for 30 minutes. Toss ramp bulbs (not leaves), garlic and capers into the skillet. Stir to coat them with pan juices. Roast for 5 minutes more, then stir again. Continue cooking until ramps are tender and chicken is no longer pink, 5 to 15 minutes more (for a total cooking time of 40 to 50 minutes).
• Remove chicken from oven and stir ramp leaves into the pan until just wilted. Let chicken rest for 5 minutes, then serve with the pan juices and ramps, garlic and capers, seasoning everything with juice from the remaining lemon wedges, if desired.

SKILLET ROAST CHICKEN

Steps:

• Bring the chicken to room temperature, about 30 minutes. Pat the skin dry with paper towels. Preheat the oven to 425˚ F.
• Heat the butter in a large ovenproof skillet over medium heat. Stir in the rosemary, garlic, lemon zest and a pinch of salt and cook until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Let cool slightly.
• Brush the herb butter all over the chicken; season generously with salt and pepper. Tuck the wing tips under the body and tie the drumsticks together using kitchen twine.
• Stir the onion and carrots into any remaining herb butter in the skillet; set the chicken on top, breast-side up. Transfer the skillet to the oven and roast until the skin is golden and a thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh registers 165˚ F, 60 to 75 minutes. (Tent the chicken with foil if it is browning too quickly.)
• Transfer the chicken to a cutting board, pouring any juices from the cavity back into the skillet. Let rest 20 minutes, then carve. Serve the chicken with the vegetables and pan juices.