Sweet and Spicy Roast Chicken

What a beautiful week it has been!  Somehow Mother Nature managed to send some low temperatures our way!  It has been fall.  This weather, 60s and 70s, has been perfect.  It motivated me to hit the kitchen and actually use the oven.

I was reading the New York Times Recipes and a recipe for Sweet and Spicy Roast Chicken caught my eye.  Goodness....chicken, carrots, dates, citrus and honey....yummy!   It sounded like the perfect dish to kick-off the season and we were not disappointed.  It was delicious.

Did you notice that the New York Times is now charging a fee to access recipes?  I was disappointed as it is one of my favorite sites for recipes.  I was able to access some recipes but not all....so, I bit the bullet.  I figured if it was my favorite then I would subscribe...  Do you subscribe?   I may not be totally pleased that it is now subscription based but, it is worth it!

Sweet and Spicy Roast Chicken

adapted from NYT Cooking

Yield:  4 servings

1 lemon, plus 3 Tbsp fresh squeezed lemon juice
2 1/2 tsp kosher salt, more for the pot
3 Tbsp fresh squeezed orange juice
4 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 1/2 Tbsp whole grain mustard
3 Tbsp honey
1 bay leaf
1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
Black pepper, to taste

3 chicken breasts
2 cups sliced carrots, (about 1/4-in thick)
1/2 onion, thinly sliced
2/3 cup sliced dates
1 Tbsp fresh thyme leaves

Garnish
1/4 cup cilantro
2 scallions, thinly sliced
1/4 cup chopped toasted pistachio nuts

Preheat oven to 425° F.

Quarter the lemon lengthwise.  Cut into small wedges and remove any seeds.  Blanch the wedges for two minutes in a small saucepan of salted boiling water and drain.

Whisk together the lemon juice, orange juice, oil, mustard, honey salt, bay leaf, red pepper flakes and black pepper to taste, in a small saucepan.  Bring the mixture to a boil and simmer for 5 minutes.  Let cool.

Put the chicken in a bowl and add the cooled honey mixture.  Add the carrots, onion, dates, thyme and blanched lemon wedges.  Turn the mixture to coat the ingredients.  Marinate overnight in the refrigerator or a minimum of 30 minutes at room temperature.

Place all ingredients in a rimmed sheet pan.   If you did not remove the skin from the chicken, it should be placed on the sheet pan skin side up.   Roast the chicken breasts for 20 to 30 minutes, the chicken should be browned and cooked through.  Remove the chicken as it is done.  Stir the carrot mixture and continue cooking until the carrots are tender, about 7-10 additional minutes.  If the pan appears dry, add 2-3 Tablespoons of water.

Spoon the carrot mixture over the chicken and garnish with cilantro, chopped scallions and the pistachios.

PRINTABLE RECIPE

I am sharing at Full Plate Thursday hosted by Miz Helen's Country Cottage!