Poulet Pot

Like a lot of people, I was making holiday plans when the pandemic hit. With a new granddaughter on the scene, we were hoping to get the family all together this year and take a holiday in September. The south of France being the favoured destination for us all this year.

But like everyone else, the plans have been put on hold with such uncertainty on the horizon. All we can do at the moment, is to hope and dream. Hope that we will all stay safe until this is over, and dream of the lovely times that we will have once again. In the meantime the nearest I shall get to France is to eat the food. So what better excuse than to cook one of my favourite french dishes.

Ingredients

  • 1 whole chicken approx 3lbs
  • Bunch of parsley
  • Small bunch of thyme
  • Salt and pepper
  • A splash of olive oil
  • 8 oz of lardons or pancetta
  • 2 onion
  • 6 baby carrots
  • 8 baby potatoes
  • 4 small parsnips or any
  • Root vegetables you like
  • Half a lemon
  • Large glass of white wine or two
  • 600 ml of chicken stock
  • 1 clove garlic crushed

Method

  1. You can cook this dish either in an oven at 200 c, on a simmering ring on a hob or even over a barbecue pit! Just remember the casserole dish/pot must be sealed so the chicken simmers away and cooks in the stock.
  2. Place a little oil in the pot and brown the chicken all over. Remove the chicken and add the onions and lardons and more oil if required and gently fry
  3. Place all the remaining vegetables, garlic etc in the pot, place the chicken on top and add the wine and stock
  4. Finely add the lemon and thyme and parsley in the chicken cavity, season with salt and pepper and seal the pot with a lid or foil
  5. Cook with what ever method you wish, for at least 1 hour and 45mins . If you are cooking in the oven, I like to remove the lid and cook for a further 15 mins to crisp the skin
  6. Once cooked, remove the chicken and vegetables to a large serving dish. The remaining gravy/jus can be served as it is, or if you prefer a thicker gravy , whisk is in some flour. Over a gentle heat
  7. One of the great things about this recipe is that you can lower the heat and let it cook gently, and for longer if you decide to delay your meal, and there’s only one pot to wash
  8. Perfect for a lazy summer afternoon