Roast Chicken Salad with Rosemary Croutons and White Bean Hummus
The Middle Eastern spice blend zaatar contributes a fruity, tart flavor (think cranberries) that's a fabulous counterpoint to the richness of roast chicken. You could also use store-bought rotisserie chicken.
How to Make It
Step 1
1
Roast chicken: Preheat oven to 375°. In a bowl, combine oil, zaatar, salt, and pepper; stir to create a paste. Rub chicken all over with paste, rubbing it into and under skin on breast. Set chicken on a roasting pan coated with cooking spray. Roast until golden brown and crisp, about 1 1/2 hours or until a meat thermometer inserted in thickest part registers 165°. Let stand 15 minutes. Meanwhile, reduce temperature to 350° for croutons. Cut chicken into 8 pieces.**
Step 2
2
Make hummus: In a food processor, pulse garlic and rosemary until chopped, about 5 times. Add beans, oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Process until very smooth, adding 2 to 3 tbsp. water if necessary to make a nice dipping consistency. Divide purée among 4 small ramekins.
Step 3
3
Make vinaigrette: In a jar, shake all ingredients until emulsified. Shake again just before serving.
Step 4
4
Make croutons: In a bowl, toss torn bread with oil; season with salt and pepper. Transfer to a baking sheet and bake until golden brown, 16 minutes, tossing occasionally.
Step 5
5
Working quickly, in a large bowl, combine about half of vinaigrette and croutons. Toss to coat, then toss in lettuce. Divide among 4 plates and top each serving with 2 pieces chicken. Serve with ramekins of hummus for dipping chicken pieces. Pass remaining vinaigrette on the side.
Step 6
6
*Zaatar usually includes marjoram, oregano, thyme, sesame, and sumac. Find at well-stocked grocery stores and online.
Step 7
7
**To cut a roasted chicken into 8 serving pieces, use a good pair of kitchen shears: Cut each breast crosswise into 2 pieces, keeping the wing attached to 1 piece; cut the thighs from the drumsticks, keeping as much meat from the back with the thighs as possible. Discard the backbone or save in the freezer for stock.
Ingredients
CHICKEN
2 tablespoons olive oil
3 tablespoons zaatar*
1 teaspoon fine sea salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 whole chicken (4 1/2 lbs.)
WHITE BEAN HUMMUS
1 garlic clove
1/2 teaspoon fresh rosemary
1 can (15.5 oz.) cannellini beans, drained and rinsed well
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 teaspoons lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
BELL STREET VINAIGRETTE
3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1/3 cup canola oil
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
SALAD
8 ounces crustless French baguette, torn into bite-size pieces (4 cups)
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 1/2 heads butter lettuce, pale inner hearts only, torn into bite-size pieces (4 cups)
Directions
Step 1
1
Roast chicken: Preheat oven to 375°. In a bowl, combine oil, zaatar, salt, and pepper; stir to create a paste. Rub chicken all over with paste, rubbing it into and under skin on breast. Set chicken on a roasting pan coated with cooking spray. Roast until golden brown and crisp, about 1 1/2 hours or until a meat thermometer inserted in thickest part registers 165°. Let stand 15 minutes. Meanwhile, reduce temperature to 350° for croutons. Cut chicken into 8 pieces.**
Step 2
2
Make hummus: In a food processor, pulse garlic and rosemary until chopped, about 5 times. Add beans, oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Process until very smooth, adding 2 to 3 tbsp. water if necessary to make a nice dipping consistency. Divide purée among 4 small ramekins.
Step 3
3
Make vinaigrette: In a jar, shake all ingredients until emulsified. Shake again just before serving.
Step 4
4
Make croutons: In a bowl, toss torn bread with oil; season with salt and pepper. Transfer to a baking sheet and bake until golden brown, 16 minutes, tossing occasionally.
Step 5
5
Working quickly, in a large bowl, combine about half of vinaigrette and croutons. Toss to coat, then toss in lettuce. Divide among 4 plates and top each serving with 2 pieces chicken. Serve with ramekins of hummus for dipping chicken pieces. Pass remaining vinaigrette on the side.
Step 6
6
*Zaatar usually includes marjoram, oregano, thyme, sesame, and sumac. Find at well-stocked grocery stores and online.
Step 7
7
**To cut a roasted chicken into 8 serving pieces, use a good pair of kitchen shears: Cut each breast crosswise into 2 pieces, keeping the wing attached to 1 piece; cut the thighs from the drumsticks, keeping as much meat from the back with the thighs as possible. Discard the backbone or save in the freezer for stock.
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