Recipe by Laura Bakhtiarian
Images by Naomi Giatas
A family meal that’s set to impress.
Time 3 hours and 20 minutes
Serves 4–6
Ingredients
1 whole Lilydale Free Range Chicken, butterflied
Marinade
⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil
Juice and zest of 2 lemons
1 tbsp dry oregano
1 tbsp fresh thyme
1 tsp coriander
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp cumin
½ tsp black pepper
1 whole garlic, cloves peeled and minced
Salt, to taste
Salad
1 ½ cups dried pearl couscous, cooked as per packet instructions
Salt and ground black pepper, season to taste
¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
1 tsp Dijon mustard
½ tsp honey
1 tsp finely grated lemon zest
2–4 tbsp fresh squeezed lemon juice, to taste
20g pine nuts, toasted
200g cherry tomatoes, halved
200g Sicilian olives
½ cup coarsely chopped fresh herbs; use any combination of fresh parsley, coriander, basil or dill
½ red onion, finely chopped
Method
Mix the marinade ingredients together in a small bowl.
• Place the chicken in a large dish. Apply the marinade underneath the chicken skin and rub some on the back of the chicken as well. Keep the chicken flat with skin side up. Refrigerate for 2–4 hours.
• Preheat oven to 220°C fan-forced.
• Transfer chicken to a well-greased oven pan. Roast for 10 minutes, then turn oven down to 180°C and roast for a further 1 hour and 15 minutes, or until cooked through.
• While the chicken is cooking, whisk together the oil, mustard, honey, lemon zest and juice, and salt and pepper for the salad. Add drained cooked couscous to the dressing and mix well, then stir through the olives, tomatoes, herbs, pine nuts and red onion. Set salad aside.
• Remove the chicken from the oven and set aside to rest for 10 minutes, before slicing into portions. • Best served with salad, hummus, chilli oil and burnt lemons.
We used: a whole Lilydale Free Range Chicken.
Lilydale farmers have been perfecting free-range farming for over 20 years, based on one simple belief: chickens that are raised better, taste better. Their commitment to quality and chicken welfare is what sets them apart. From farm to plate, quality ingredients create unforgettable dishes. Find more recipe ideas at lilydalefreerange.com.au.
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