Alison Roman Chicken Confit Food

CHICKEN-LEG CONFIT WITH POTATOES AND ESCAROLE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 275°F. Season chicken legs with salt and pepper on both sides and nestle into a 1 1/2-quart baking dish. Arrange shallots, garlic, and 6 thyme sprigs around chicken and pour oil over. Bake until chicken is cooked through and tender and shallots and garlic have started to caramelize, 2-2 1/2 hours.
• Meanwhile, cook potatoes in a medium pot of boiling salted water until tender, 15-20 minutes. Drain and set aside.
• Remove chicken from oven. Pour off infused oil, reserving 5 tablespoons (save remaining oil for another use). Heat 2 tablespoons infused oil in a large skillet over medium-high. Carefully transfer chicken to skillet, arranging skin side down. Cook, undisturbed, until skin is golden brown and crisp, about 5 minutes. Return chicken to dish, placing skin side up.
• Heat 2 tablespoons infused oil in same skillet (no need to wipe it out) and add potatoes and remaining 2 thyme sprigs. Using the back of a wooden spoon or spatula, lightly crush potatoes to flatten slightly. Season with salt and pepper and cook, tossing occasionally, until potatoes are well browned and crisp on all sides (some pieces will fall off and get extra-brown; you want this!), 8-10 minutes. Transfer to a medium bowl.
• Toss escarole in another medium bowl with lemon zest, lemon juice, and 1 tablespoon infused oil; season with salt and pepper.
• Serve chicken in baking dish (with all those shallots and garlic) with escarole and potatoes alongside.
• Do Ahead
• Chicken can be cooked (but not crisped) 2 days ahead; reheat in low oven before crisping. Potatoes can be boiled 2 days ahead; cover and chill.

CHICKEN CONFIT

Steps:

• Heat oven to 300 degrees. Put chicken in a pan just large enough to fit it comfortably and deep enough for oil to completely cover chicken. Add remaining ingredients. Place on stovetop over medium-high heat, and cook only until bubbles come up.
• Transfer pan to oven, uncovered. Cook for about two hours; oil should be bubbling, but just barely; adjust oven heat as necessary. When done, meat can be easily pierced with a thin-bladed knife. Cool slightly, then remove chicken from oil. Strain and reserve oil for another use (store in refrigerator). Meat may be refrigerated for several days before using.
• To reheat, put 2 tablespoons reserved oil into a skillet over medium heat. Add chicken and cook on both sides until nicely browned, 15 minutes. Serve hot or at room temperature, preferably on a bed of dressed greens.