This is the most amazing and easy roast chicken ever. I'm dreaming of having this chicken again as I write this. I actually ate this three days in a row and never got tired of it. In fact, it tasted even better the following days, with the flavours from the marinade (and the pan juices) having absorbed into the chicken. I was a little sceptical about the Russian salad
(although it was really the "exotic" reference to "Russian" that enticed me to try out this recipe) as I don't usually have cold creamy salads with roast chicken. Well, I was pleasantly surprised that they complemented each other really well and I just kept going back for more (and more, and more). I made sure the egg was cooked just right, with a jellied yolk centre, because that's the best way to have 'em!
Roast Chicken with Russian Salad
Adapted from Gourmet Traveller (July 2013)
Ingredients
2.4 kg chicken marylands (whole chicken leg)
2 lemons, quartered
Spice rub:
1 tbsp ground coriander
1 tbsp smoked paprika
1 1/2 tbsp dark brown sugar
2 tsp dried chilli flakes
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tbsp sea salt
2 tbsp olive oil
Russian salad
4 eggs
3-4 potatoes (about 500g)
2 carrots, halved horizontally
200 g frozen peas, defrosted
250 g (1 cup) mayonnaise
60 ml (¼ cup)
cider vinegar
4 golden shallots, thinly sliced (or substitute with deep fried shallots)
1 cup loosely packed chopped dill (optional)
Salt and black pepper, to taste
Method
For spice rub, combine ingredients in a bowl. Rub over chicken, place in a non-reactive container, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight (or at least 24 hours) to marinate.
For Russian salad, cook eggs in a saucepan of boiling water until soft-boiled (6-7 minutes). Cool under running water, peel, quarter and set aside. Peel and dice potatoes into 1/2 inch cubes, place in a saucepan of cold salted water, bring to the boil and cook until tender. Drain and set aside. Cook carrot in a saucepan of boiling salted water until just tender (10-12 minutes), cool and cut into 1/2 inch pieces. Blanch peas in a saucepan of boiling salted water until bright green (1 minute), refresh and drain. Combine mayonnaise and vinegar in a large bowl, season to taste and stir until smooth. Add all ingredients and toss to combine.
Preheat oven to 200C (400F). Arrange on a large baking tray and roast until cooked through (45-55 minutes). Cover loosely with foil and rest for 10 minutes. Cut each chicken into quarters, season to taste, squeeze over lemon and serve with warm salad.
Note: You'll need to begin this recipe a day ahead to marinate the chicken.
