BURNISHED CHICKEN THIGHS WITH ROASTED SWEET POTATOES, PARSNIPS & SHALLOTS

BURNISHED CHICKEN THIGHS WITH ROASTED SWEET POTATOES, PARSNIPS & SHALLOTS image

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 11

3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
3 tablespoons whole-grain Dijon mustard
1 1/2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more as needed
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
8 chicken thighs (about 6 oz each), trimmed of excess fat and skin
1 medium-large (12 oz) sweet potato, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch pieces
4 medium parsnips (6 oz total), peeled and cut into 1/2-inch pieces
4 small shallots, lobes separated, peeled and halved through the root end
3 strips bacon
1/4 cup coarsely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

Steps:

Stir together the oil, mustard, vinegar, 1/4 teaspoon of the salt and 1/4 teaspoon of the pepper in a large bowl. Add the chicken and toss to coat. Cover with plastic wrap and marinate in the refrigerator, turning occasionally, for atleast 1 hr and up to 8 hrs. Heat the oven to 425 degrees F. Arrange the chicken skin side up on one end of a large rimmed baking sheet and drizzle with any remaining marinade. At the other end of the baking sheet, toss together the sweet potato, parsnips, shallots, and the remaining 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper. Spread into a single layer. Sprinkle the chicken and vegetables lightly with a little more salt and roast for 20 minutes. Baste the chicken with the pan juices using a brush and stir the vegetables. Continue to roast, basting and stirring every 10 minutes, until the chicken is burnished-deeply browned-and the vegetables are tender, about 30 minutes more. Meanwhile, cook the bacon over medium heat in a large skillet until crisp, 5-8 minutes. Drain the bacon on paper towels. When the bacon is cool enough to handle, crumble it and toss with the parsley. When the chicken is done, stir the vegetables and transfer them to a serving bowl with a slotted spoon. Toss with half of the bacon mixture. Baste the chicken and transfer with tongs to a serving platter. Sprinkle with the remaining bacon mixture, and serve hot.