Two Roast Chickens with Roasted Garlic and Herb Jus

The Make-Ahead Cook by America's Test Kitchen (p209)

  • Dissolve sugar.
  • Submerge chickens.
  • Refrigerate 1 hr.
3 qt water
3/4 c salt
3/4 c sugar
2 (4 - 4 1/2 lbs) whole chickens, giblets discarded
  • Oven to 375°, middle rack.
  • Place garlic heads cut side up on single piece of foil and drizzle with oil.
  • Wrap tightly.
4 garlic heads, paper removed, top third cut off and discarded
1 T extra-virgin olive oil
  • Set v-rack in roasting pan and spray lightly.
  • Remove chickens from brine and pat dry.
  • Brush with butter.
  • Season with pepper.
  • Place chickens breast side up in v-rack, legs facing opposite directions.
2 T butter, melted
pepper
  • Pour into roasting pan.
  • Roasting pan in oven.
  • Put garlic directly on oven rack.
  • Roast 40 min.
1 c chicken broth
  • Oven to 450°.
  • Rotate pan.
  • Roast until breast registers 160, thighs 175, 20-30 min.
  • Transfer chicken to carving board and let rest uncovered.
  • Open garlic and let cool slightly.
  • Squeeze garlic from skins into bowl.
  • Mash with fork.
  • Med saucepan.
  • Skim excess fat from juices in roasting pan, and add.
  • Simmer until flavors meld, 10 min.
3/4 c dry white wine or dry vermouth
1/2 c water
2 large shallots, minced
2 bay leaves
1 sprig thyme or rosemary
  • Strain sauce through fine mesh strainer.
  • Return to saucepan, bring to simmer.
Whisk in.
2 T parsley, minced
2 T butter, chilled
prepared garlic paste