- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 45 min
- Total time
- 60 min
- Yield
- 4 servings
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 340 kcal
Quick summary
“The crispy golden chicken with roasted tomatoes and fresh rosemary is a rustic skillet preparation that goes into the oven, highlighting the crispy skin of thighs and drumsticks seared in hot fat. When roasting with whole cherry tomatoes, garlic, and lemon slices, it forms a rich sauce naturally sweetened by the caramelized juices.”
What you need to know
- The slow searing of the chicken skin in the cast-iron skillet for 8 to 10 minutes yields natural fat and a well-browned crust.
- Roasting at 200°C bursts the cherry tomatoes, releasing acidic juices that meld with the olive oil and the collagen of the chicken thighs.
- The garlic kept with the skin cooks slowly, becoming sweet and creamy without burning at the bottom of the skillet.
Ingredients
Main
- g Chicken thighs and drumsticks (with skin and bone)
- tablespoon Extra virgin olive oil
- unit (cut into wedges) Large red onion
- g (whole) Cherry or grape tomato
- cloves (lightly crushed with the skin) Large garlic cloves
- large sprigs Alecrim fresco
- unit (cut into slices) Limão siciliano
- teaspoon Sweet paprika
- teaspoon Calabrian chili pepper (optional)
- Sea salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
Principal
- Prepare the Chicken: Dry the chicken pieces well with paper towels. Season generously with salt, black pepper, and sweet paprika. This step is crucial for the perfect and flavorful crust.
- Heat the Pan: In a large oven-safe pan (cast iron or stainless steel), heat the olive oil over medium-high heat until it just begins to smoke lightly. The pan needs to be very hot for an effective sear.
- Sear the Chicken: Place the chicken pieces skin-side down in the hot pan without overcrowding. The professional technique is to sear for 8-10 minutes until the skin is intensely golden and crispy. Flip and sear the other side for 2-3 minutes. Remove the chicken and set aside.
- Sauté the Vegetables: In the same pan, add the red onion, cherry tomatoes, crushed garlic, and rosemary sprigs. Sauté for 5-7 minutes, scraping the bottom of the pan to release the caramelized flavors. Add a little salt and pepper to enhance.
- Assemble for Roasting: Return the chicken to the pan, nestling it gently among the vegetables. Distribute the lemon slices over the chicken and vegetables. Adjust the seasonings if necessary at this point, ensuring the balance of flavors.
- Bake in the Oven: Take the pan to the preheated oven at 200°C (400°F) for 30-35 minutes, or until the chicken is completely cooked and the tomatoes are slightly burst. One-pot cooking wonderfully concentrates the flavors.
- Finish and Serve: Remove from the oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in a juicier and tastier chicken. Serve directly from the pot to maintain the heat and rustic charm of the presentation.
Chef's tips
- Pat the chicken pieces very dry with paper towels before applying the salt and paprika to ensure the crispy crackle of the skin.
- Do not stir the chicken during the first few minutes of searing in the pan; let the skin peel off naturally when it is crispy.
- Arrange the lemon slices on top of the vegetables to perfume the steam without softening the chicken crust.
Variations
- Add 1/2 cup of pitted black or green olives to the pan along with the tomatoes to enhance the Mediterranean flavor.
- Add lightly smashed boiled baby potatoes to brown along with the chicken in the roasting pan fat.
- Pour 50 ml of dry white wine into the bottom of the pan before putting it in the oven to create an even richer emulsion.
Substitutions
- Thighs and drumsticks can be replaced with boneless skin-on thighs, chicken wings, or skin-on bone-in breast.
- Cherry tomatoes can be replaced by whole grape tomatoes or Italian tomatoes cut into four parts.
- Fresh rosemary can be replaced by fresh thyme sprigs or fresh sage leaves sautéed in olive oil.
How to store
Store leftovers in a closed container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the skillet with the skin facing up in a medium oven at 180°C for 10 minutes to recover the crackling texture of the skin and heat the tomatoes.
Can it be frozen?
Freeze the cooked chicken pieces with the tomatoes in an airtight container for up to 2 months. When defrosting and reheating in the pan, the skin will lose part of its original crispiness, but the sauce and meat will preserve exceptional juiciness and flavor.
What to serve with
Pairs well with thick slices of toasted Italian bread with olive oil for dipping in the tomato sauce, garlic white rice, or rustic mashed potatoes. For wine pairing, go for full-bodied white wines or young reds like pinot noir.
Frequently asked questions
Can I make this recipe using a regular metal baking pan?
You can sear the chicken in a regular skillet and transfer to a metal baking sheet, although the cast iron pan provides better heat retention.
Don't the cherry tomatoes splatter when bursting in the hot oven?
They soften and wilt slowly in the heat, releasing juice without splashing out of the medium-rimmed pan.
How to get the chicken skin truly crispy?
Dry the skin with paper towels, sear patiently skin-side down in a very hot pan, and roast uncovered in the oven at 200°C.
Does garlic with skin cook on the inside?
Yes, the skin protects the garlic clove from burning, turning the inner flesh into a creamy, smooth paste.
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