Sometimes the best recipes come from happy accidents in the kitchen. That’s exactly how I stumbled upon this delightful dish one ordinary evening. With kale abundant in the garden and a chicken ready for roasting, a culinary mishap turned into a dish that’s now a seasonal favourite in my home. Here’s how you can recreate this simple yet flavourful meal.
Ingredients:
- 1 whole chicken
- 2 bunches of fresh kale, thoroughly washed and dried
- 4 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 teaspoons sea salt
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- Optional: fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme
Instructions:
- Preparation:
- Preheat your oven to 180°C.
- Pat the chicken dry with paper towels to ensure crispy skin.
- Season the Chicken:
- Rub the chicken with 2 tablespoons of olive oil, then season generously inside and out with salt and pepper.
- Stuff the cavity with garlic cloves, and if using, lemon halves and a few sprigs of your favorite herbs like rosemary or thyme.
- Prepare the Kale:
- Remove the tough stems and roughly chop the kale leaves.
- In a separate bowl, toss the kale with the remaining olive oil, a pinch of salt, and pepper.
- Roast the Chicken:
- Place the chicken in a roasting pan. If you have a rack, you can place the chicken on it, allowing space underneath for the kale.
- Roast the chicken in the preheated oven for about 1 hour.
- Add the Kale:
- After the chicken has been roasting for about 45 minutes and the juices are starting to run clear, scatter the kale around the chicken in the pan.
- Allow the kale to cook in the chicken drippings for the remaining 20 minutes, or until it’s crispy and the chicken is fully cooked.
- Serving:
- Let the chicken rest for about 10 minutes before carving. Serve with the crispy kale on the side with your favourite grain or potatoes.
This one-pan roast chicken with crispy kale is not just a meal; it’s a reminder of how simplicity often leads to the most profound flavours. It’s perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner or a casual dinner party. The crispy kale, cooked in the rich drippings of the roast chicken, provides a delicious and healthy contrast that will have everyone asking for seconds.
Pro Tips:
- The crispy kale can also be enjoyed as a snack on its own—just make sure to prepare extra!