I bought the Smitten Kitchen Cookbook, and let me tell you, I was blown away. The pictures are gorgeous, the recipes are unique, and the writing is both funny and informative. It is everything a cookbook should be. I read it, and then I defrosted trio of chicken quarters without having a plan for them. But once I realized that I had a lemon and some baby potatoes, I opted to adapt the cookbook’s recipe for flat-roasted chicken to suit them. It turned out to be the perfect weeknight meal- fast, healthy, and homey.
To make this chicken, preheat your oven to 450º F. Cut apart 3 chicken quarters, and then pat the legs and thighs dry. Place the chicken pieces in the center of a 12-inch cast iron skillet, and surround the chicken with baby potatoes. Lightly drizzle only the potatoes with olive oil. Season everything with salt, black pepper, and dried thyme. Roast the chicken for approximately 45 minutes, or until it is fully cooked, rotating the pan half way through so that everything browns evenly. Then, squeeze the juice from a lemon over everything. The chicken skin will be delightfully crisp, and the potatoes will be lightly caramelized and tender. I sprinkled a ton of fresh pea shoots over my chicken and potatoes, but you can also serve them with any steamed, green vegetable. Eat and be happy.
This recipe was adapted from the Smitten Kitchen Cookbook’s flat roasted chicken with tiny potatoes.
Shopping list:
- Chicken quarters- 3
- Baby potatoes- enough to surround the chicken
- Olive oil
- Dried thyme
- Salt and pepper
- Lemon- 1
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Yum!!! My favorite parts of the chicken, and chicken being one of my favorite
Foods I’d love to make this dish right now, but alas, I don’t have a cast iron
Skillet so—what do I do ??? If you can ship it to me packed with that
Shippable ice, I’ll give you my address. I’m really hungry for it.
Lul
Mammy
I do not have a cast iron frying pan (must get one) but just bought a cast iron roaster so can I use that? It has higher sides than a frying pan but maybe it would work. I like breasts rather than the dark meat so may substitute one for a leg or thigh.
Any oven proof dish should work, but the heavier the better. The original recipe called for a whole chicken, so breasts should be just fine.
This dish looks very delicious. My two favorite foods chicken and potatoes. I cannot wait to try this recipe.
I agree with Ruth. It seems easy to make and must be very delicious
Did your puppy get a little taste?
Usually she does, but she was bad that day so she couldn’t have any. Naughty girl! And more for me!
Oooh! I got this book for Christmas but haven’t made anything from it yet…. this looks delicious… can’t wait to try some of the recipes!
Made this last night! Didn’t have the potatoes. did just the chicken in my turkey roaster pan, did great!! Tasted like fried chicken (only healthier)! Will be a go to recipe for me, Thanks!
My best to you and the Stella girl
Fried chicken… yum!
I made this last night and it was amazing! Thanks for the great recipe… I asked my husband if he would like me to make it again, his response was ‘yes, preferably right now’
thank you!
I’m craving it again too. Glad you enjoyed!