Chicken Roasted with Garlic-Herb Crème Fraîche
- Makes4 servings
- Cook Time1¾ hours
- Active time plus cooling45 minutes active, plus refrigeration and standing time
- 3
In “Summer Kitchens,” Ukraine-born Londoner and cookbook author Olia Hercules writes, “Chicken smothered and baked in cultured cream is an old classic, but sometimes I like to go one step further.” So she packs bold flavor into crème fraîche by mixing it with fresh herbs and garlic before slathering it onto a whole bird. In this recipe, our adaption of her simple yet succulent pot-roasted chicken, we coat the bird inside and out with garlicky, herby crème fraîche and refrigerate it for at least 2 hours or up to 24 hours before roasting. The crème fraîche not only adheres the garlic and herbs to the bird, its high fat content helps with browning and adds flavor. (Sour cream, which is much leaner, is not a suitable substitute.) Hercules shreds the meat off the bones after cooking, but we like to serve the chicken carved, its richly browned skin adding to the flavor and overall allure. We also make a simple sauce to serve alongside.
Don’t leave the herbs damp after washing them. Be sure to dry them well or the moisture may cause them to become watery when processed. Don’t use a glass or ceramic baking dish. A metal baking pan is best because it’s a good conductor of heat and is guaranteed not to crack when water is poured in midway through roasting. A 9-by-13-inch pan is perfectly sized for the chicken; in a larger pan, the drippings are apt to scorch because of the greater surface area. Finally, make sure to remove the chicken from the refrigerator about 1 hour before roasting. This will help it cook more evenly.
Step 1
In a food processor, combine the dill, parsley or cilantro, garlic and 1 teaspoon each salt and pepper. Process until the herbs are finely chopped, about 1 minute.
Add the crème fraîche and process just until combined, 20 to 30 seconds, scraping the bowl as needed; do not overprocess. Transfer ½ cup of the mixture to a small bowl, cover and refrigerate for making the sauce.
Scrape the remainder into another small bowl and refrigerate until chilled and slightly thicker, about 30 minutes; this portion will be used directly on the chicken.
Step 2
Place the chicken in a metal 9-by-13-inch baking pan. Using a spoon, spread ¼ cup of the crème fraîche mixture for the chicken in the cavity of the bird. Tie the legs together with kitchen twine.
Slather the remaining crème fraîche mixture all over the exterior of the chicken (it’s fine if some of it falls into the pan). Cover loosely with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or up to 24 hours.
Step 3
About 1 hour before roasting, remove the chicken from the refrigerator and let stand, still covered, at room temperature. Heat the oven to 425°F with a rack in the lower-middle position.
Step 4
After the chicken has stood for about 1 hour, remove the plastic wrap and tent the pan with a large sheet of extra-wide foil; try to keep the foil from touching the chicken. Roast for 40 minutes. Remove the crème fraîche mixture for the sauce from the refrigerator and let stand at room temperature.
Step 5
Working quickly, remove the foil from the chicken, pour ¾ cup water into the pan and continue to roast, uncovered, until the thickest part of the breast registers 160°F and the thighs reach 175°F, another 20 to 30 minutes; if at any point the pan is close to dry, add water to prevent scorching.
Carefully tip the juices from the cavity of the bird into the pan, then transfer the chicken to a cutting board. Let rest while you make the sauce.
Step 6
Scrape up any browned bits in the bottom of the pan, then pour the liquid into a fine mesh strainer set over a liquid measuring cup. Let the liquid settle for a few minutes, then use a spoon to skim off and discard the fat from the surface.
You should have ½ to ¾ cup defatted liquid; if you have more, you will need to reduce it to that amount. Either way, pour the liquid into a small saucepan and bring to a simmer over medium-high; if needed cook, stirring occasionally, until reduced to ½ to ¾ cup.
Remove the pan from the heat, whisk in the reserved ½ cup crème fraîche mixture and the lemon juice. Taste and season with salt and pepper.
Step 7
Carve the chicken and transfer to a platter. Pour about ¼ cup of the sauce over the chicken, then serve with the remaining sauce on the side.
