Il Cucinologo
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Rustic Baked Chicken

17/11/2023

The “Rustic Baked Chicken” is a tasty variant of the classic roast chicken. This version may include a mix of vegetables and spices that blend with the chicken juices during cooking, creating a rich and flavorful dish. Below I describe the recipe:

Ingredients

  • 1 whole chicken (about 1.2-1.5 kg)
  • 2 medium potatoes
  • 2 carrots
  • 1 onion
  • 2 garlic cloves
  • 1 sprig of rosemary
  • 1 sprig of sage
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 150 ml of white wine
  • Extra virgin olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste.

Preparation

  1. Prepare the chicken by cleaning it, drying it, and removing any feather residues. Preheat the oven to 190 °C.
  2. Peel the potatoes and carrots, then cut them into pieces that are not too small. Slice the onion and crush the garlic cloves.
  3. In a baking dish, place the chicken in the center and arrange the prepared vegetables around it. Add the rosemary sprig, sage, and bay leaf.
  4. Drizzle a generous amount of extra virgin olive oil over the chicken and vegetables, then sprinkle everything with salt and pepper to taste.
  5. Pour the white wine into the baking dish, being careful not to pour it directly on the chicken to avoid removing the seasoning.
  6. Bake the chicken and cook for about 1 hour and 30 minutes. During cooking, baste the chicken with its cooking juices occasionally to keep the meat tender and juicy.
  7. Check the chicken’s doneness by inserting a toothpick into the thickest part: if clear liquid comes out without any pink traces, the chicken is ready.
  8. Let the chicken rest for a few minutes before serving it with the vegetables and the sauce that has formed.

Curiosities

The name “pasticciato” comes from the mixed cooking method, where the chicken and vegetables “mingle” with their juices and spices, creating a rustic and homey flavor that is highly appreciated.

If you don’t have white wine on hand, you can substitute it with chicken broth or even a bit of water and a pinch of vinegar to balance the flavors. Remember that in cooking it’s also important to improvise and customize recipes according to your tastes and available ingredients.