ROASTED HALVED CHICKEN WITH GARLIC-HERB PASTE

Roasted Halved Chicken with Garlic-Herb Paste image

Provided by Sunny Anderson

Time 5h25m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 9

4 teaspoons chopped fresh rosemary leaves
1 lemon, zested
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus extra for pans
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 (3 to 4-pound) chicken, skin-on, backbone removed and halved
Special equipment: 2 large cast iron skillets

Steps:

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
Garlic-Herb Paste: Combine the rosemary, lemon zest, garlic, olive oil, cayenne, Dijon mustard, and salt and pepper to taste, in a small bowl. Stir to incorporate.
Rub chicken with Garlic-Herb Paste. Let marinate at room temperature for 1 hour.
Coat a large cast iron skillet lightly with olive oil and heat over medium-high heat. Oil the bottom of a second cast iron skillet, of equal or smaller size.
Put the chicken, skin side down, in first pan, and top it with the second pan, oiled-side down on top of the chicken. If you don't have a second cast iron skillet, use a regular pan and weigh it down with 2 heavy cans. Sear chicken until lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Remove top skillet, flip the chicken and transfer to the oven. Cook until chicken is cooked through, about 35 minutes. Transfer to a serving platter and serve.