Chicken Cooked Under Bricks
Ingredients:
- 1 free-range roasting chicken (4 pounds)
- 1/2 cup extra-virgin
olive oil
- Sea salt to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper to taste
Directions:
- Place the chicken breast side down on a flat surface.
- With a
pair of poultry shears, split the bird lengthwise along the backbone.
Open it flat, and press down with the heel of your hand to flatten
completely.
- Turn the chicken skin side up, and, with a sharp
knife, make slits in the skin near the tail and tuck the wing tips in to
secure. The bird should be as flat as possible to ensure even cooking.
- In a 12-inch skillet, or one large enough to hold the chicken
flat, heat the oil over moderately high heat. When the oil is hot but
not smoking, place the chicken skin side down in the skillet.
- Put a lid or another skillet over the chicken, then weight it down with
a 10-pound weight. (Use bricks or heavy rocks). Cook over
medium-high heat until the skin is golden brown, about 12 minutes.
Remove the lid and weights.
- Using tongs so that you do not
pierce the meat, turn the chicken over, and season generously with salt
and pepper. Replace the lid and weights, and cook for 12 minutes more.
- To test for doneness, pierce the thigh with a skewer. The
chicken is done when the juices run clear.
- Transfer the chicken
to a platter and place it at an angle against the edge of an overturned
plate, with its head down and tail in the air. (This heightens the
flavor by allowing the juices to flow down through the breast meat).
- Cover the chicken loosely with foil. Let it rest for at least 10
minutes and up to 30 minutes.
- (If desired, keep the chicken warm
by placing it in a warm oven.)
Chicken Recipes