A traditional French comfort food at its simple and satisfying best. So rich and delicious--the braising results in the garlic becoming soft, mellow and almost sweet in flavor, and chicken that's moist and falling off the bone. Chicken with 40 Cloves of Garlic is one of our favorite dishes, which we prepare it at least two or three times a month, that's how good it is...
Rinse chicken with cold water and trim off excess fat. Cut chicken into 8 pieces (large breast should be halved so all chicken pieces cook evenly). Dissolve 1/4 cup salt in 2 quarts cold water in large container or bowl. Submerge chicken pieces in brine and refrigerate until fully seasoned, about 30 minutes. Rinse chicken pieces under running water and thoroughly pat dry with paper towels. Liberally season both sides of chicken pieces with pepper.
Meanwhile, separate the cloves of garlic and drop them into a pot of boiling water for 60 seconds. Drain the garlic and peel. Set aside. Tie the parsley, thyme, rosemary, and bay leaf together with string to make a bouquet garni; set aside.
Heat 1 to 2 tablespoons of oil in a deep 12-inch heavy-bottomed skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat until beginning to smoke; swirl pan to coat with oil. Add chicken pieces to pan, saute skin-side down until deep golden, about 5 minutes. Use tongs to turn chicken pieces (don't pierce the skin with a fork) and brown second side until golden, about 4 minutes longer. Remove chicken to a platter and tent with foil.
Toss all of the peeled blanched garlic cloves and shallots into the pan and stir. Lower the heat and saute for about 5 to 10 minutes, turning often, until evenly browned. Add 2 tablespoons of the Cognac, vermouth and chicken stock, return to a boil, scraping bottom of pan with wooden spoon to loosen browned bits. Add the bouquet garni, then return chicken to pan, skin-side up, on top of garlic cloves, along with any juices that have collected on the plate. Cover and simmer over low heat for 30 to 40 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through (an instant-read thermometer inserted 2 inches into fleshy part of a thigh registers about 165 degrees), and the gerlic is very soft.
Transfer chicken an to serving platter. Using slotted spoon, remove 10 to 12 garlic cloves to mesh sieve, reserve. Remove remaining garlic cloves and shallots and scatter around chicken, discard bouquet garni, and tent platter with foil. Remove 1/2 cup of the pan sauce to a small bowl, add flour, wisk until smooth. With a rubber spatula push reserved garlic cloves through a sieve and into pan. Whisk flour mixture back into sauce in pan. Raise heat to high, add the remaining tablespoon of Cognac and cream. Boil, whisking to incorporate everything, until sauce thickens, about 3 to 4 minutes. Taste for seasonings, adjusting with salt and pepper to taste. Whisk in butter, if desired. Ladle sauce over chicken, or into a sauceboat to serve on the side.
Serve with Roasted Brussels Sprouts or Honey Dijon Roasted Beets, along with a crusty French bread onto which the softened garlic may be spread.
View line-by-line Nutrition Insights™: Discover which ingredients contribute the calories/sodium/etc.
|
||
Serving Size: 1 Serving (666g) | ||
Recipe Makes: 4 | ||
|
||
Calories: 1481 | ||
Calories from Fat: 1015 (69%) | ||
|
||
Amt Per Serving | % DV | |
|
||
Total Fat 112.8g | 150 % | |
Saturated Fat 44.2g | 221 % | |
Monounsaturated Fat 43.2g | ||
Polyunsanturated Fat 16.8g | ||
Cholesterol 440.6mg | 136 % | |
Sodium 584.1mg | 20 % | |
Potassium 1127.2mg | 30 % | |
Total Carbohydrate 16.7g | 5 % | |
Dietary Fiber 0.6g | 3 % | |
Sugars, other 16.1g | ||
Protein 88.3g | 126 % | |
Powered by: USDA Nutrition Database Disclaimer: Nutrition facts are derived from linked ingredients (shown at left in colored bullets) and may or may not be complete. Always consult a licensed nutritionist or doctor if you have a nutrition-related medical condition. |
Calories per serving: 1481
Get detailed nutrition information, including item-by-item nutrition insights, so you can see where the calories, carbs, fat, sodium and more come from.
Maybe-the-Best Yeast Rolls
I recommend pairing it with this recipe
— sgrishka
Roasted Brussels Sprouts
I recommend pairing it with this recipe
— sgrishka
Honey Dijon Roasted Beets
I recommend pairing it with this recipe
— sgrishka
What would you serve with this? Link in another recipe.