Rachael's Daytime Talk Show
Roast Chicken with Rosemary on an Onion Bed with Smashed Butternut Squash and Potatoes -- 03/20/12

Roast Chicken with Rosemary on an Onion Bed with Smashed Butternut Squash and Potatoes

Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons EVOO – Extra Virgin Olive Oil, divided
  • 4 medium onions, quartered with root attached
  • 4 small pieces bone-in, skin-on chicken breast
  • 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
  • 6 tablespoons butter, softened, divided
  • 3 tablespoons rosemary, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon anchovy paste
  • 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped or grated
  • Salt and pepper
  • 4 fresh bay leaves
  • 1 cup white wine or chicken stock
  • 1 small butternut squash, peeled and chopped
  • 2 large Russet potatoes, peeled and chopped
  • Freshly grated nutmeg, to taste
  • Whole milk or chicken stock, for mashing
  • 1/2 cup grated Grana Padano or Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, a couple of handfuls
  • 1 teaspoon lemon or orange zest
  • Warm bread, for mopping
  • 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs

Yields: 4

Preparation

Heat oven to 450ºF.

Step

Heat a cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat with 2 tablespoons EVOO, 2 turns of the pan. Add onions and brown on both sides.

Step

Meanwhile, pat chicken dry and loosen skin from meat with your fingers. Combine 4 tablespoons softened butter with rosemary, anchovy paste and garlic, and place butter under skin. Drizzle skin with EVOO and season with a little salt and lots of pepper.

Step

Add bay leaves and wine to onions, arrange chicken on top and transfer to oven. Roast 20 minutes then turn the oven down to 375ºF for 10-15 minutes to finish roasting until juices run clear.

Step

Cover butternut squash and potatoes with water, bring to a boil, salt water and boil to tender, 15 minutes. Drain and return to hot pot, mash with salt, pepper, nutmeg, milk or stock, cheese and zest.

Step

Serve chicken and onions with mashed squash and potatoes alongside and plenty of bread for mopping.