Dutch Oven Chicken And Vinaigrette Recipes

DUTCH OVEN CHICKEN AND VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Make the chicken: Heat oven to 450 degrees.
• Pour 3 tablespoons of the olive oil into a Dutch oven large enough to hold the chicken, then toss in all but 1 piece of the onion. Add the garlic and 4 sprigs each of the thyme and rosemary. Stir to coat, then season generously with salt and pepper.
• Pat the chicken dry, season the inside with salt and pepper, and tuck in the remaining piece of onion and herb sprigs. Rub the chicken with the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Squeeze the juice from the lemon half over the bird, and then pop the lemon inside it with the herbs and onion. Settle the chicken into the pot, breast side up. Pour in the wine and cover.
• Roast the chicken for 60 minutes, then check on it: It's done when a thermometer plunged into the thickest part of the thigh has reached 165 degrees. If it's done but doesn't have enough color for you, you can run it under the broiler for a few minutes; if it's not done, remove the lid and continue to roast until done, 15 to 30 minutes more. Transfer the chicken to a platter, cover loosely with a foil tent, and let rest.
• While the chicken rests, make the vinaigrette: Pour off the pan drippings, measure out 6 tablespoons and return them to the pot. (If your drippings are scant or very dark, you can still use them. Keep any extra drippings for another use.) Hold onto the garlic but discard the onion and herbs from the pot. Place the pot over medium heat, pour in 1/2 cup water, and boil for a couple of minutes, scraping the bottom of the pan to pick up any stuck bits. You should have about 1/3 cup of drippings; if they're very chunky, strain them when you add them to the vinaigrette.
• Working in a medium bowl, mash 6 to 8 cloves of the soft garlic with the mustard, then whisk in the vinegar. Slowly whisk in the reserved liquid, followed by the walnut oil, if using. Taste for salt and pepper, then pour the vinaigrette into a small pitcher.
• To serve, carve the chicken, cutting it into quarters or eighths, and arrange on the platter. Pour over a little of the vinaigrette. Dress the salad greens lightly with vinaigrette and serve on the platter or in a shallow bowl. Pass the rest of the sauce at the table.

VINEGAR-AND-GARLIC-BRAISED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Combine vinegar, soy sauce, sugar, bay leaves, garlic, and 1 teaspoon pepper in a bowl; add chicken and toss until coated with marinade. Cover bowl and refrigerate at least 2 hours and up to overnight.
• Remove chicken (reserving marinade) and pat dry with paper towels. Heat oil in a large Dutch oven over medium. Add half of chicken and cook until golden brown, 3 to 5 minutes. Turn and brown other sides about 2 minutes more; transfer to a plate and repeat with remaining chicken.
• Return all chicken and any accumulated juices to Dutch oven; add reserved marinade, making sure liquid comes halfway up sides of chicken (you may need to nestle it). Bring to a simmer over high, then reduce heat to low, cover, and cook until chicken is cooked through and tender, 20 to 25 minutes. Transfer chicken to a clean plate. Skim fat from liquid with a spoon and discard bay leaves. Increase heat to medium‐high and reduce liquid until syrupy (you should have about 1 cup). Spoon sauce over chicken and serve.

CHICKEN WITH VINEGAR

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees. Set a large ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Add oil; when it is hot, place chicken in the skillet, skin side down. Cook undisturbed for about 5 minutes, or until chicken is nicely browned. Turn and cook 3 minutes on the other side. Season with salt and pepper.
• Place skillet in the oven. Cook 15 to 20 minutes, or until almost done (juices will run clear, and there will be just a trace of pink near the bone). Remove chicken to an ovenproof platter. Place it in the oven; turn off the heat, and leave the door slightly ajar.
• Pour all but 2 tablespoons of the cooking juices out of the skillet (discard them). Place skillet over medium-high heat, and add shallots; sprinkle them with a little salt and pepper, and cook, stirring, until tender, about 2 minutes. Add vinegar, and raise the heat to high. Cook a minute or two, or until the powerful acrid smell has subsided somewhat. Add 1/2 cup water, and cook for another 2 minutes, stirring, until the mixture is slightly reduced and somewhat thickened. Stir in butter, if desired.
• Return the chicken and any accumulated juices to the skillet, and turn the chicken in the sauce. Serve immediately.