Chicken Vesuvio

• 1 whole chicken (or pieces, bone-in)
• 2 tsp garlic powder (optional)
• 2 tsp dried oregano
• salt (to taste)
• freshly ground black pepper (to taste)

Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C).

Cut chicken into 8 or 10 cut pieces (see attached Drill-down).

Season all of the chicken with garlic powder, dried oregano, salt and pepper.

Over medium-high heat, brown the chicken on all side using a heavy-bottomed ovenproof Dutch oven. Work in batches if necessary. Once done remove from the pot and place onto a platter.

Related Tips & Techniques

• How to Butcher a Chicken | 8 or 10 Cut Chicken

• 8 red new potatoes (or a mix such as russet and yukon)
• salt (to taste)
• freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
• 6 cloves garlic
• 1 1/2 cups white wine (such as Pinot Grigio)
• 1 1/2 cups chicken stock

Cut the potatoes into wedges and add to the pan. Season with salt and pepper and let brown on all sides, about 8 to 10 minutes.

Meanwhile emincé the garlic. Once the potatoes are golden brown, add the garlic and sauté for about 1 minute. Then deglaze with the white wine. You can also use red, rosé or even vermouth instead of white wine, if you like.

Scrape up any bits on the bottom of the pan and let reduce by about half. Then add the chicken stock.

Related Tips & Techniques

• What is Emince?
• Chicken Stock Options

• 2 bay leaves

Place the chicken back into the pot, arranging it slightly, so that it is in the liquid. Bring the liquid just to a boil. Cover with a lid and place into the oven. Let cook for about 20 minutes or so.

After about 20 minutes, cut into a piece of chicken, there should be no pink at all. If so, return to the oven and check every 5 minutes or so. You don't want the breast meat to overcook or it will become dry. If it is done first then remove it and keep it warm while the dark meat continues to cook.

Meanwhile, you can go ahead and prepare the mushrooms.

Related Tips & Techniques

• How to Know When Your Poultry is Cooked

• 1/2 pound button mushrooms
• 1 tbsp butter
• salt (to taste)
• freshly ground black pepper (to taste)

Clean and quarter the mushrooms. Using a large frying pan melt the butter and then sauté the mushrooms until golden and all of the liquid has evaporated.

Related Tips & Techniques

• What is Sauteing?

• 1 cup frozen peas

At this point, you can remove the chicken and potatoes, reduce the sauce slightly and then finish it with a few tablespoons of butter. You can then add the mushrooms and peas and then serve the sauce on the side.

Alternatively, you can just add the mushrooms and peas to the chicken and potatoes, right in the pot. Let it sit covered for a few minutes to warm the peas through. Then serve immediately.

Note: The peas will discolor rather quickly, due to the acid in the wine, so don't add them too early.