Spicy Portuguese Chicken

There are simple recipes which can make a regular meal very special and we sometime wonder why you have not made it before. Well, this is one of them ! It requires very little preparation and attention and it will no doubt, become a family favourite. The key, as with any chicken recipe is to salt it a few hours before cooking and at the end, to let the meat rest before serving it. That simple, that delicious, trust me ! This recipe calls for some mayonnaise, I know… it sounds a little unpalatable, but with a good quality or homemade one, the dish can be turned into something quite elegant and with so much flavour. Perfect for a small dinner party or family dinner, the chicken cooks in the serving dish.

INGREDIENTS
1 Small Grain Fed Chicken big enough for 4 people – Spatchcock / Butterflied – Simply cut the backbone of the chicken on both sides (keep it for a wonderful chicken broth).
Marinade
2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
1 Teaspoon Kashmiri Chilli or regular Red Chilli
1/2 Teaspoon Chilli Flakes (Pepperoncino)
1/2 Teaspoon Salt
1 Tablespoon Crushed Black Pepper
1/2 Teaspoon Turmeric
1/4 Lemon Juice (Juice of one lemon)
In a small bowl, combine all the ingredients and mix well. Pour the sauce over the chicken and let it marinate at room temperature for 3-4 hours or in the fridge overnight.

Sauce
2 Tablespoons Mayonnaise
3 Tablespoons Fresh Cream – (Crème Fraîche)
1 Teaspoon Parsley finely minced (dry one will do as well)
3/4 Cup of cooking juice

METHOD
Preheat your oven at 200 Degrees Celsius and cook the chicken for 1 hour to 1 hour and 15 minutes depending on the size. (It should registered 75 Degrees Celsius).
When the chicken is done, pour the excess sauce in a pot along with the marinade sauce mixture. Cook for a few minutes, until the sauce thickens a little and then pour it over the chicken. That’s it !
Serve with steamed potatoes and a salad.

Tip du Jour : Salt your chicken a few hours before cooking. Another tip, is of course, to let the meat rest for a good 10-15 minutes, covered with a lid or a foil, for