If chicken is on your intimate dinner menu this valentines then you need to try Olive-Brined Chicken. It’s not only quick and easy to make but tasty too.
So, why not skip the hustle for dinner reservations because nothing beats a quiet candle-lit a home-cooked meal made with love on Valentine’s day.
Enjoy!
Olive-Brined Chicken Recipe
Ingredients
2 L water
1/2 cup kosher salt
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup herbes de Provence
Finely grated zest and juice of 2 lemons
1 cup pitted Spanish green olives, smashed
10 bay leaves
12 whole chicken legs, divided into drumsticks and thighs
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon hot pimentón de la Vera (smoked Spanish paprika)
2 tablespoons chopped thyme
3 large Vidalia or other sweet onions, sliced crosswise 1/2 inch thick
Salt and freshly ground pepper
1/2 cup pimiento-stuffed Spanish olives, sliced crosswise 1/4 inch thick 1/2 cup flat-leaf parsley leaves
Instructions
In a large saucepan, combine the water, kosher salt, sugar, herbes de Provence, lemon zest and juice, smashed olives and bay leaves and simmer to dissolve the salt. Pour the brine into a very large, nonreactive bowl or stock pot and let cool to room temperature, stirring occasionally. Submerge the chicken in the brine and cover, or put the chicken and brine in a heavy-duty plastic bag. Refrigerate overnight.
In a small saucepan, whisk together the vegetable oil, pimentón de la Vera and 1 tablespoon of the chopped thyme. Place over moderate heat until hot.
Light a grill. Brush the onion slices with some of the paprika oil. Season with salt and pepper and sprinkle with the remaining 1 tablespoon of thyme. Grill the onions over moderately high heat, turning once, until lightly charred and crisp-tender, about 4 minutes per side. Transfer the onions to a large platter. Toss to separate the rings and drizzle with 2 tablespoons of the paprika oil. Add the sliced olives and parsley and toss again.
Remove the chicken pieces from the brine and pat dry. Season with salt and pepper. Grill the chicken over moderate heat, turning often, until the skin is nicely charred and the meat is cooked through, about 25 minutes. Toward the end of cooking, brush the chicken all over with the paprika oil. Transfer the chicken to the platter with the onions and serve.
Make Ahead The smoked-paprika oil can be refrigerated for up to 1 week.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil now available on our online store
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