James Beards Farmers Chicken Recipes

JAMES BEARD'S FARMER'S CHICKEN

Steps:

• Pat chicken pieces dry and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
• In a wide skillet with a lid, heat oil over medium. Working in batches if necessary to avoid crowding the pan, brown the chicken, rotating as needed, until the skin is golden and releases easily from the pan, at least 5 minutes per side. Adjust the heat to avoid scorching. As the pieces are browned, transfer them to a plate.
• Once all the chicken is browned, add the onion and bell pepper to the skillet. Sprinkle with salt and cook, stirring, until softened and beginning to brown around the edges, about 5 minutes. Stir in the oregano and paprika.
• Add the wine and simmer, stirring up the browned bits from the bottom of the pan, until the pan is almost dry, about 5 minutes.
• Stir in stock, olives and currants, and bring to a simmer. Carefully return the chicken pieces to the pan. Cover and let simmer over low heat for 20 minutes. Remove the lid, stir and let simmer, uncovered, until the chicken is tender and the liquid reduces slightly, about 15 minutes. (The sauce will be quite loose.) Taste the sauce for salt and pepper. (Recipe can be made up to this point and refrigerated for up to 3 days.)
• When ready to serve, heat through and stir in lemon zest and juice. Divide among shallow bowls and sprinkle with parsley and almonds (if using). Serve with rice, orzo or toast.

JAMES BEARD'S CHICKEN KIEV

Steps:

• Combine butter, garlic, chives, parsley, salt, rosemary, and pepper. Blend well. Roll into a 3/4-inch diameter log in waxed paper. Freeze until very hard.
• Blend egg and water. Pound each breast to 1/4-inch thick. Cut butter into 4 pieces. Place a piece of the butter in the chicken. Roll the chicken around the butter and skewer with toothpicks to keep closed.
• Dip chicken in flour, egg mixture and then in flour.
• Fry about 15 minutes in the hot vegetable oil. Turn occasionally. Drain on paper towels.

JAMES BEARD'S CHICKEN WITH 40 CLOVES OF GARLIC

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Cover the bottom of a heavy 6-quart casserole with the celery and onions and add the parsley and tarragon. Place the oil in a shallow dish. Dip the chicken pieces into the oil, coat all sides evenly and place in the casserole. Pour the vermouth over the chicken and sprinkle with the salt, pepper and a few gratings of nutmeg. Tuck the garlic around and between the chicken pieces.
• Cover the top of the casserole tightly with aluminum foil and fit the lid over the foil to create an airtight seal. Bake for 1 hour and 20 minutes without removing the cover. Check for doneness; return casserole to the oven if the chicken seems underdone. Serve the chicken along with the pan juices, the garlic and thin slices of heated French bread spread with garlic squeezed from the root end of the clove.

JAMES BEARD'S RASPBERRY CHICKEN

Steps:

• In large nonstick skillet, melt butter over medium heat.
• Add chicken breasts; cook 5 minutes until golden brown.
• Turn and cook an additional 5 minutes.
• Add water and shallots.
• Reduce heat to medium-low and cook 10 minutes.
• Remove chicken from skillet; keep warm.
• Add raspberry vinegar to skillet; bring to boiling and cook 2 minutes.
• Stir in tomatoes, tomato paste and chicken stock.
• Simmer until sauce thickens slightly.
• Return chicken to pan, turning to coat well.
• Reduce heat to low; cook 10 minutes.
• Arrange chicken pieces on a warm serving platter; pour sauce over the top.
• Sprinkle with raspberries and chopped chives.