Today's dish is highly unusual, because it uses chicken, vinegar, and garlic.
I'm joking. Not about the ingredients I'm using, but because I seem to use one of those three on quite a regular basis. In fact, I wasn't sure I hadn't done this recipe before, so I searched the blog based on ingredients, and my, what a large pile of recipes involving chicken, vinegar, and garlic showed up. But not this one! So onward.
We call this Ratatouille Chicken, because the first time I made it we ate it while watching the movie Ratatouille. Its real name is Garlic Vinegar Basted Roast Chicken. I think our name's better.
It starts with what most good foods start with: chopped onion and garlic.
That would be 16 cloves of garlic. C'mon! Don't be wimpy!
Next you put your basic cut-up chicken pieces on top of all that garlic and onion, and add branches of fresh thyme, strips of orange peel, and salt and pepper. I've mentioned many times how nakey-butt chicken makes me giggle, but there's something about draping it with orange peels and thyme branches that makes it look, oh, I dunno...noble? Not silly, anyway.
The final step before roasting is to drizzle everything with extra-virgin olive oil and red wine vinegar. Then pop it into the oven at 450F for 20 minutes, then reduce heat to 350F and bake until done, about 45 minutes to an hour.
It's darned good at this point and could be eaten just like this, but look at that pan--look at those browned bits, the film of vinegar and oil. Why on earth let that go to waste? When you can take the chicken out, add some chicken broth, and reduce until you've got a lovely thick sauce? It only takes a few minutes more, and let me tell you, those are minutes well spent.
Make sure you serve something--bread, mashed potatoes--with the chicken that can be used to sop up that sauce.
Remy ain't got nothin' on this dish.
Okay, you had me at GRAVY. Im making this!
Posted by: kathy b | October 24, 2008 at 07:58 PM
Crusty bread and I'd be happy.
Posted by: Guinifer | October 19, 2008 at 03:23 PM
Oh my, that does look good!
Posted by: Cindy | October 19, 2008 at 02:09 PM
Nom nom nom! That looks fabulous. So nicely browned and crispy.
Posted by: Kitt | October 19, 2008 at 12:28 AM
I made this recipe this evening. It is fantastic. I love the subtle flavors of the vinegar, orange, and vegetables. The chicken was browned but very moist. Thanks for the great recipe link. YUM!
Posted by: Angie | October 18, 2008 at 10:58 PM
I can even eat that with my new dietary restrictions. I bet it keeps the vampires away, too.
Posted by: PainterWoman | October 18, 2008 at 02:01 PM
Mmmmmm. I have a recipe that uses chicken, vinegar (balsamic), and garlic, too. Totally different than yours, though.
Posted by: kmkat | October 18, 2008 at 01:42 PM
Gah. Fix my you're (not your) for me will ya?
Posted by: kate | October 18, 2008 at 01:40 PM
Chicken, garlic and vinegar love each other. It's true. Add a splash of vinegar anytime your cooking chicken in the oven (without any other sauce) - instant love.
Posted by: kate | October 18, 2008 at 01:39 PM
I believe the orange loincloths made the naked chicken look sophisticated!
Posted by: bezzie | October 18, 2008 at 08:10 AM
I bet it's really good cold, eaten right out of the fridge the next day too!
Posted by: deb | October 18, 2008 at 08:07 AM
When my cocker Maslow gets shaved and then lays for her tummy to be pet, I take her legs and pull them together and they look just like a naked uncooked chicken. They make me giggle too. Those ingredients would also be divine by slicing your T-Giving turkey all over and stuffing them all over the bird and in the butt (tee hee). I learned this trick and use it everytime its my turn for the fam turkey - Last year, I did hot peppers, garlics, and cajun seasonings...and then just add it to the stuffing.
Posted by: kristi and otis | October 18, 2008 at 06:40 AM
Yes!! I have a whole chicken in the freezer - it's coming out to thaw immediately!
Posted by: Nora | October 18, 2008 at 05:55 AM
Wow. Absolute heaven.
Posted by: Minneota Matron | October 17, 2008 at 11:05 PM
that sounds super good! i'm trying to think if i have any chicken in the freezer.....
Posted by: heather | October 17, 2008 at 05:56 PM
Oh, I am so making this. I wish I was making it tonight!
Posted by: Miss T | October 17, 2008 at 05:14 PM
Crap - I promised take-out pizza for tonight...tomorrow night could be a whole other story.
Posted by: cursingmama | October 17, 2008 at 10:59 AM
That looks fabulous!
Posted by: Jeanne | October 17, 2008 at 10:14 AM
WOW that looks good.
Posted by: laurie | October 17, 2008 at 10:11 AM
making me hungry!
Posted by: Kristin Ohlson | October 17, 2008 at 09:52 AM
That looks so yummy!
Posted by: Rebecca | October 17, 2008 at 08:53 AM
Well, that sure puts the frozen meal I'm going to have for lunch to shame.
Posted by: Chris | October 17, 2008 at 07:31 AM