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French chicken in a pot top view on oval plate
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French chicken in a pot

French chicken in a pot brings together fall flavours of leek, shallot, carrot and garlic with chicken and thyme. Serve it on it's own or with simple buttered new potatoes.
Prep Time35 minutes
Cook Time1 hour
Total Time1 hour 35 minutes
Course: Main
Cuisine: French
Servings: 4

Ingredients

  • 3 Tbsp butter total
  • 3 Tbsp olive oil total
  • 1 3-4 lb chicken grain fed, air chilled
  • 1 large or 2 medium leeks white portion only, cut into 4 inch lengths and quartered
  • 4 large shallots
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 4 carrots cut into 4 inch pieces
  • salt and pepper

Instructions

  • Pre-heat the oven to 375F.
  • Melt 2 Tbsp each of olive oil and butter over medium heat in a dutch oven large enough to hold the chicken and vegetables.
  • Rub the chicken with olive oil then season with salt and pepper.
  • Brown the chicken thoroughly, regulating the heat to prevent burning. This will take 15 minutes.
  • Remove the chicken from the dutch oven, discard the fat and wipe out the pot.
  • Melt the remaining 1 Tbsp each of olive oil and butter.
  • Add the aromatics and a good pinch of salt. Salt is critical at this point but you need to be careful not to oversalt at the same time.
  • Return the chicken to the pot. Place a piece of aluminum foil over the pot and then cover with the lid.
  • Roast for about 1 hour.
  • Remove chicken from the pot and place the pot with vegetables and accumulated juices over medium heat to reduce slightly. Taste and adjust seasonings if needed.
  • Carve the chicken into quarters - 2 legs, 2 breasts. Mound a portion of the vegetables in the middle of the plate. Add a few spoonfuls of the sauce and top with chicken.
  • Cornichons, dijon mustard and salt are the traditional accompaniments to real poule au pot. They work well here as well.