Pot-Roasted Chicken & Confit Fennel
A low-stress roast where the chicken juices braise the fennel into silky submission. The rest-and-reheat method guarantees juicy meat every time.
Ingredients
Protein
- 800g Whole Chicken — half bird per person
Fresh
- 2 Fennel Bulbs — cut into thick wedges
- 1 Lemon — sliced into rounds
- 10 Garlic Cloves — skin on, smashed
- 200g Tenderstem Broccoli
Pantry
- 15ml Olive Oil
- 5g Sea Salt
Method
Cut fennel into thick wedges. Slice lemon into rounds. Smash garlic cloves with the flat of a knife, skins on.
Scatter fennel, lemon, and smashed garlic into a roasting tray. Drizzle with oil and salt.
Season the chicken generously all over. Place it directly on top of the fennel bed. Roast at 200°C for 55–60 minutes.
Remove from oven. Tilt the bird to empty cavity juices into the tray. Let it cool completely in the tin — this reabsorbs moisture into the meat.
Carve the meat. Pour the tray juices into a wide pan and bring to a simmer. Turn heat off. Place carved meat into the hot jus for 3 minutes to warm through gently.
Steam tenderstem broccoli for 3–4 minutes until bright green and just tender.
Arrange confit fennel on plates. Lay carved chicken alongside. Spoon the jus over everything. Serve with steamed broccoli.