Roast Chickens with Pistachio Salsa, Peppers, and Corn
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Roast Chickens with Pistachio Salsa, Peppers, and Corn
Cerciello marinates small chickens with garlic and herbs, then roasts them until golden. In summer, he serves them with a quick, piquant sauté of corn and peppers along with a chunky pistachio sauce that's so good, you'll want to make it all season long.
6–8 servings
Recipe by Jeff Cerciello
Photograph by Peden & Munk
June 2012
- 6
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 3 garlic cloves, minced, mashed to a paste with the back of a knife
- 3 tablespoons chopped fresh thyme leaves plus sprigs for stuffing
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh rosemary
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh sage
- 2 2 1/2–3-pound whole chickens
- 2 tablespoons kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 1 lemon, halved
Preparation
Step 1
Preparation
Chickens
Whisk lemon juice, oil, garlic, 3 Tbsp. thyme, rosemary, and sage in a small bowl; set marinade aside.
Season chickens with salt and pepper inside and out. Place each inside a resealable plastic bag; divide marinade between bags. Spread marinade evenly to distribute. Seal bags and chill for at least 4 hours and up to 24 hours.
Preheat oven to 450°. Transfer chickens from bags to a small roasting pan; gently blot excess oil from marinade with paper towels, leaving herbs intact on chicken skin. Stuff each chicken with a lemon half and several thyme sprigs. Tie legs together with kitchen twine, if desired.
Roast until well browned, 30–35 minutes. Reduce heat to 350° and continue roasting, occasionally basting chickens with pan juices, until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh registers 165°, 20–30 minutes longer. Transfer chickens to a carving board; let rest for 20 minutes before carving.
Peppers and Corn
Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion, capers, and red pepper flakes. Season with salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until onion is soft but not brown, about 5 minutes. Add peppers and chiles; season with salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft, 10–12 minutes. Stir in caper brine, corn, parsley, and vinegar just before serving.
Pistachio Salsa
Combine first 4 ingredients in a small bowl. Stir in oil. DO AHEAD Can be made 2 days ahead. Cover and chill. Let come to room temperature before serving. Serve with chicken, peppers and corn.
Hungry for More? If you have a question about this recipe, contact our Test Kitchen at askba@bonappetit.com. To see more recipes like this one, check out our Chicken Dinners Slideshow.