Pollo e patate (chicken and chips)
 
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
 
I use my beloved heavy, black cast iron frying pan to make this dish, rendering down the fat from the pancetta and frying the garlic until golden. In a typical pollo e patate, the potatoes are nestled amongst the chicken to absorb the juices. In this version of the dish, similarly to rombo al forno, the chicken is kept moist as they are sheltered from the drying heat of the oven by the potatoes. The potatoes then turn a lovely golden colour and are perfectly crispy. Juicy chicken and crispy potatoes together are a combination loved the world over. Enjoy.
This dish has many regional variations. Pancetta can be eliminated, chopped prosciutto may be added, different herbs such as thyme, marjoram, bay leaf and basil used, a pinch ofsaffron can be added and 5 chopped tomatoes can be added after the white wine has been reduced. Halved new potatoes can be nestled among the chicken instead of the potato rounds placed on top of the chicken (this version does not require an oven and can be done covered on the stove / hob) but I find children prefer the crispy, golden chips. Experiment and find your own favourite version of this dish.
Author:
Recipe type: Main Course (Secondo)
Cuisine: Inter-regional
Serves: 6 servings
Ingredients
  • 1 whole chicken
  • 10 grams sage (can substitute thyme or basil), rinsed, dried and finely chopped
  • 15 grams rosemary, rinsed, dried and finely chopped
  • 100 mls white wine
  • 60 mls extra-virgin olive oil
  • 4 garlic cloves, peeled and left whole
  • 80 grams pancetta, cut into ½ cm strips (can use streaky bacon)
  • 1 onion, peeled, ends removed and finely chopped
  • 800 gms potatoes, sliced into 8 mm thick rounds
  • 120 mls chicken stock or water
  • Sea salt
  • Black pepper
Instructions
  1. The day before, cut the chicken up by cutting down the back.
  3. Grab a hold of the leg and and pull it away from the body to loosen. Cut through the joint to separate. Repeat on the other side.
  5. Flip the chicken over and cut down the breastbone.
  7. Add the chicken pieces, 10 grams of the rosemary, the sage and the white wine to a plastic bag and tie tightly. Refrigerate overnight to marinate.
  9. Preheat the oven to 200C. Bring a large pot of salted water to boil and add the cut potatoes to the water for 1 minute.
  11. Strain the potatoes and mix with 30 mls olive oil, the remaining 5 gms of rosemary and salt and pepper. Remove the chicken from the marinate, reserving the liquid separately.
  12. Heat a frying pan until hot and add 30 mls olive oil, the garlic cloves and pancetta.
  14. When the garlic is coloured and the pancetta has rendered its fat, add the pieces of chicken to brown.
  17. Add salt and pepper to taste while continuing to turn the pieces of chicken until they are evenly browned. Sprinkle the marinade over top and press the onion into the pan to mix. Cook until the onion is soft, about 3 minutes.
  19. Add the potatoes to the top of the chicken.
  21. Pour the chicken stock over and place in the oven. Roast for 40 minutes or until the potatoes are golden and crispy and the chicken's internal temperature (check the thickest bit nearest but not touching the bone) is 64C (150-155F)*. Remove from the oven and let sit for 10 minutes to allow the juices to settle before serving.
  23. *Official guidelines state that the safe temperature to cook chicken is 75C (165F).
Recipe by Living a Life in Colour at http://www.livingalifeincolour.com/recipes/pollo-e-patate-chicken-and-chips/