Murray Silvermans Scotch Chicken Recipes

SPATCHCOCK CHICKEN

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C). Line a large rimmed baking sheet with foil.
• Place chicken, breast side down, on a work surface. Starting at the tail end, cut along both sides of backbone with kitchen shears. Remove backbone. Grabbing hold of both sides of the chicken, open it like a book. Turn breast side up. Push down on each side of breast with your hands until you hear it crack. Flatten chicken and transfer to one short end of the prepared baking sheet. Repeat with the second chicken.
• Combine salt, tarragon, paprika, and pepper in a small bowl. Stir in oil. Run your fingers under chicken skin and rub tarragon paste under skin. Slide lemon slices under skin, in a single layer.
• Roast until skin is crisp and an instant-read thermometer inserted into thickest part of breast reads 165 degrees F, about 35 minutes. Let stand 5 minutes before cutting each chicken into 8 pieces.

THE STANDARD GRILL MILLION DOLLAR CHICKEN

Steps:

• The day before you plan to cook the chicken, season it well inside and out with salt and pepper. Stuff the cavity of the chicken with the garlic, 1 of the lemons, the bay leaf and thyme. Refrigerate.
• (The bird can be trussed with butcher twine if you are so inclined, but it is not necessary.)
• On the day/night you plan to cook the bird, take the chicken out of the refrigerator 30 minutes before you plan to roast it. Preheat the oven to 425 to 450 degrees.
• In a pan large enough to accommodate the chicken, oil the pan lightly with olive oil, place the piece of sourdough in the center of the pan and then put the chicken on top of the bread.
• Drizzle the bird with olive oil or brush with butter (we use olive oil at the Grill).
• Place the pan in the oven and roast for 40 to 50 minutes, basting it every 12 to 15 minutes with the fat and drippings that render from the bird.
• White the chicken roasts, assemble the glaze by combining all of the ingredients and whisking them together.
• When the chicken is almost done (the juices are running pink and/or the legs are beginning to wiggle a bit when you give them a shake), take a pastry brush and slather on a bit of the creme fraiche glaze. The glaze will begin to caramelize. Brush on another layer and let this last glazing caramelize.
• At this point the chicken should be cooked through and nicely golden brown. The sourdough underneath the chicken will be nicely browned and crisped on the side in contact with the pan, and moist and juicy on the side in contact with the chicken. Let the chicken rest for 10 minutes before cutting it into serving pieces. Cut the sourdough into 2 to 4 pieces and serve with the chicken.
• Garnish with lemon wedges and sprinkle it with Maldon salt.
• (Alternatively, you can roast the chicken almost entirely through. Let it rest, split it in half and then glaze it with the creme fraiche under the broiler, brushing with the creme fraiche until you achieve golden brown, crackling skin.

SCOTCH WHISKEY CHICKEN

Steps:

• Rinse the chicken pieces; pat dry with paper toweling.
• Season with salt and pepper (or other seasonings, to taste).
• In skillet, brown chicken in butter for 15 minutes, turning to brown evenly.
• Add 8 oz.
• whisky to skillet, and then cover and simmer 30 to 35 minutes or until chicken is tender.
• Remove chicken to serving platter and keep warm.
• ----ToPrepare Sauce----.
• Skim fat from pan juices.
• Add enough water to juices, if necessary, to measure 2/3 cup liquid.
• Return to skillet and stir in mushrooms and green onions.
• Cook and stir just until onions are tender.
• Combine cream and flour, and then add to mixture in skillet.
• Cook and stir until thick and bubbly.
• Cook and stir one minute more.
• Remove from heat and stir in lemon juice and 2 teaspoons whisky.
• Spoon over chicken.