Chicken Under a Brick with Salsa Verde

Bobby Flay

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Rating:

(27 rated)

Cook time:

25 minutes

Prep time:

10 minutes

Servings:

4-6

I love the simplicity of this dish. The sauce requires no cooking and is incredibly flavorful. Pressing the chicken helps it retain moisture while creating wonderfully crispy skin.

Swap option: You can use skin-on boneless chicken pieces.

Special equipment: One or two bricks wrapped in several layers of heavy duty aluminum foil

Ingredients

- 2 large cloves garlic, finely chopped
- 2 anchovies in oil, drained, patted dry and finely chopped
- 1 lemon, zested
- 1 pinch crushed red pepper flakes
- 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh tarragon leaves
- 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh parsley leaves
- 2 tablespoons finely sliced chives
- 1 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken breasts, thighs, legs
- 2 tablespoons canola oil

Preparation

1. Whisk together the garlic, anchovies, lemon zest, red pepper flakes and olive oil in a bowl, stir in the herbs and season with salt and pepper. Let sit at room temperature while you cook the chicken (this will allow the flavors to meld).

2. Remove the chicken from the refrigerator 20 minutes before cooking. Season the chicken well on both sides with salt and pepper.

3. Put a 12-inch cast iron pan over medium-low heat and brush the pan with canola oil. Place the chicken in the pan, skin side down, and place a brick on top and cook (slowly) over low heat until the fat renders and the skin begins to crisp and turns golden brown, about 10 minutes. Turn the pieces over and continue cooking until just cooked through. When it registers 155°F on an instant read thermometer, cook it for about 5 minutes longer.

4. Remove from chicken from the pan and let rest 5 minutes before slicing on the bias into thick pieces. Serve drizzled with the salsa verde.