" Way to a Man's Heart" Roast Chicken

Someone once said, "a way to a man's heart is through his stomach" and some say a way through hers is cleaning the dishes. I have to  agree with both !  But there won't be many dishes for your significant other to clean with this recipe, it a simple one pan dish meal  with multiple layers of flavor. 

Ingredients :

(This is for two persons)

Two chicken breasts, rib bone left in. I've also used  thighs and legs.

Potatoes - cut up into large dice
carrots, large diagonal slices... cut same size as potatoes so everything cooks evenly.

Marinade mix :

1 TB smoked paprika
1 TB Dijon mustard
1/4 cup of olive oil
1 TB chopped garlic, I used the jarred diced garlic in olive oil, it's not as strong as fresh
1  1/2 tsp of Herb de Provence
Zest of half a lemon
juice of half a lemon
1 tsp of grey sea salt
1 tsp fresh cracked pepper

In a bowl, mix all ingredients into a paste.  Completely coat the chicken with the paste.  Let it set in the refrigerator for at least an hour, or longer.

Meanwhile, put the potatoes and carrots in a bowl, coat with olive oil, 1 tsp minced garlic, salt and pepper. Zest of the other half of the leftover lemon,

Oven 375f

In a roasting pan, place chicken in the oven and broil for about 10-12 minutes to for a crispy skin on the chicken.

Take out pan and surround the chicken with the potatoes and carrots.  Place back in the oven for about 45 minutes  ( check for doneness around the 35 minute to see if done, oven vary

) ** don't forget to reduce the heat back to 375 after broiling the chicken.

Throughout the cooking process, turn over the potatoes and carrots a couple of times to coat them in the delicious drippings from the pan.

 

Lebanese chicken and rice

 

  

This has been one of my favorite things to make for about 25 years.  It's probably one of the first international dishes I ever made. It is based on a Lebanese restaurant I used to go to frequently.  It is loaded with spices and there is so much flavor in this juicy chicken.  It always satisfies myself and guests .... and I even get requests to make it.  SIMPLE is the key word here.

Here is what you need

Chicken pieces - I always use thighs and drumsticks - bone in. As many as you need, at least two pieces per person.  If you are making more than 8 pieces... double the marinade amount.

For the marinade :

1 TB smoked paprika
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp allspice
1 TB onion powder
1 tsp oregano
1 TB fresh minced garlic - I used the jarred kind in oil
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp coriander
 juice of one lemon
1/4 cup of olive oil.

Mix all ingredients together, I will look like a oily paste.  Pour over chicken pieces, toss around to get each piece coated.    **  make sure chicken is dry, pat down with paper towels first.

Cut a couple of slit across each piece of chicken, it gets the spices inside.


Bake in 375 oven for about 45 minutes to an hour depending on your oven.  Check a piece for doneness.. no pink.

Serve with Lebanese rice and pickled vegetable.

Let chill in the refrigerator for at least an hour.. the longer the better.