Chicken Clay Pot Recipes

CLAY POT CHICKEN

Steps:

• Preheat an oven to 350 degrees F. Rub the chicken all over with the oil, and loosely stuff the cavity with 3 onions, 1 garlic clove and 1 sprig of parsley. Set aside. On the bottom of a 3-quart terra-cotta jug or deep heavy casserole, spread half the prosciutto, 2 sprigs parsley, 4 onions, 1 garlic clove, 1 bay leaf and all of the giblets. Place the chicken head-first in the pot, or breast-side up in a casserole. Scatter the remaining onions, garlic, 3 sprigs parsley, prosciutto and bay leaf around and on top of the chicken. In a small bowl, combine the tomatoes, wine, Port, brandy, mustard, and pepper, and pour over the chicken. Cover the pot or casserole and bake for 1 1/2-2 hours, or until chicken is cooked through.
• Remove pot from the oven, and carefully remove the onions and reserve. Drain the liquid from the pot into a large skillet. Lift out the chicken and transfer to a roasting pan fitted with a rack.
• Use a slotted spoon to lift out the giblets from the pot, along with any remaining whole onions and add them to the reserved onions.
• Set the skillet of liquid over high heat, bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes, or until liquid is reduced by half, stirring often. Preheat a broiler. Place the chicken under the broiler for 3 to 4 minutes, or until browned. To serve, cut the chicken into pieces and arrange on a large platter. Scatter the onions and giblets around the chicken, and spoon some of the warm sauce over the top. Garnish with parsley sprigs and pass extra sauce.

HERB AND LEMON CHICKEN IN A CLAY POT

Steps:

• Mash Herbes de Provence into the softened butter until well blended.
• Rinse chicken inside and out and pat dry with paper towels.
• Soak clay pot and lid in cold water for 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, place 1/2 lemon in cavity of chicken and truss chicken with kitchen twine. Fold wings under. Rub butter mixture over chicken. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
• Slice remaining 1/2 lemon into 3 or 4 slices.
• After soaking, line bottom of pot evenly with onion, celery, carrot, garlic and lemon slices. Place chicken, breast side up, on top of vegies.
• Pour broth over chicken and cover pot with soaked lid.
• Place in a COLD oven and set heat at 450°F.
• Cook for 1 hour and 15 minutes, or until the legs move easily and skin is browned.
• (Lid can be removed the last 10 minutes, for crisper skin.).
• Transfer to a platter and let rest 10 minutes before carving. Serve with the pan juices and vegies, if desired.