Week 94:

Name: Skillet-Roasted Lemon Chicken
Ingredients: 2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves; 1 teaspoon whole fennel seeds; Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper; 1/3 cup good olive oil; 1 lemon, halved and sliced 1/4 inch thick; 1 yellow onion, halved and sliced 1/4 inch thick; 2 large garlic cloves, thinly sliced; 1 (4-pound) chicken, backbone removed and butterﬂied; 1/2 cup dry white wine, such as Pinot Grigio; Juice of 1 lemon

RECIPE OF THE WEEK FROM THE STAFF AT HIGHFIELD HALL & GARDENS, TARA BURKE

This one-skillet dish is a breeze to make, and delicious comfort food on a rainy Cape Cod day! Since we are on a calorie-cutting mission, we skipped the carbs and served with broccoli, but if you are so inclined, you may want to serve with buttered egg noodles to round out this dish. I hope you enjoy it!

Skillet-Roasted Lemon Chicken

Adapted from Barefoot Contessa

Ingredients

2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves
1 teaspoon whole fennel seeds
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/3 cup good olive oil
1 lemon, halved and sliced 1/4 inch thick
1 yellow onion, halved and sliced 1/4 inch thick
2 large garlic cloves, thinly sliced
1 (4-pound) chicken, backbone removed and butterﬂied
1/2 cup dry white wine, such as Pinot Grigio
Juice of 1 lemon

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
Place the thyme, fennel seeds, 1 tablespoon salt, and 1 teaspoon pepper in a mini food processor and process until ground. Pour the olive oil into a small glass measuring cup, stir in the herb mixture, and set aside.
Distribute the lemon slices in a 12-inch cast iron skillet and distribute the onion and garlic on top. Place the chicken, skin side down, on top of the onion and brush with about half the oil and herb mixture. Turn the chicken skin side up, pat it dry with paper towels (very important!), and brush it all over with the rest of the oil and herb mixture.
Roast the chicken for 30 minutes. Pour the wine into the pan (not on the chicken!) and roast for another 10 to15 minutes, until a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the breast registers 155 to 160 degrees.
Remove the chicken from the oven, sprinkle it with the lemon juice, cover the skillet tightly with aluminum foil, and allow to rest for 10 to 15 minutes. Cut the chicken in quarters or eighths, sprinkle with salt, and serve hot with the pan juices, cooked lemon, and onion.

Notes

You may want to simmer the pan juices, add salt or pepper to taste prior to serving.

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