Preparation Time: 30 Minutes
Cook Time: 45 Minutes
Cut: Whole Chicken
Ingredients
1 whole chicken (about 1.5 kg)
1 large orange, zest finely grated and juice reserved
1 cup (250 ml) pomegranate juice
1 1/2 tsp (7.5 ml) dried thyme
1/4 tsp (1.25 ml) ground cumin
1/8 tsp (0.75 ml) ground cinnamon
Freshly ground black pepper
6 Tsp (30 ml) canola oil
Kosher salt
3/4 cup (180 ml) chicken broth
2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1 inch pieces
2 medium parsnips, peeled and cut on diagonal into 1/4 inch thick pieces
1 red onion, peeled and cut into 3/4 inch wedges
1 cup (250 ml) walnuts or pecans, chopped
2 Tbsp (30 ml) fresh flat leaf parsley, chopped
1 Tbsp (15 ml) fresh chopped mint
Preparation
Variation: Instead of a whole chicken, use 6 bone in chicken breasts or 6 chicken legs.
Position rack in the centre of the oven and preheat to 400F.
Spatchcock the chicken (as shown in the video below).
In a medium saucepan, combine the orange juice and pomegranate juice. Bring to a boil over a medium heat and reduce to 1/4 cup (about 15 minutes). Add 1/2 tsp. of the thyme, all of the cumin and cinnamon, and 1/4 tsp. pepper. Divide the mixture between two small bowls.
To one bowl add 2 tsp of oil and 1/2 tsp salt. To the other bowl add the chicken broth, all but 1 tsp of the orange zest, and 1/4 tsp salt.
Scatter the sweet potatoes, parsnips and onion over the bottom of a 10″ x 15″ shallow baking dish. Toss with remaining 4 tsp oil and 1 tsp thyme. Arrange the chicken, skin side up, on top of the vegetables. Brush with all the juice-oil mixture. Roast for 30 minutes.
Remove pan from oven and reduce temperature to 375F. Pour the juice-broth mixture around the chicken pieces and scatter the nuts around the chicken. Return the pan to the oven and roast until the vegetables are tender and a thermometer registers 165F (74C) in chicken breast.
Remove chicken to a cutting board, tent with foil and let stand 10 minutes. Cut chicken into pieces and transfer to a warm serving platter. Use a slotted spoon to arrange the vegetables and walnuts around the chicken.
Top with remaining orange zest, parsley and mint. Serve with rice or couscous.
