1 (7½ lb) roasting chicken
Frozen excess fat from chicken tail
Chicken neck and heart, cut into 1-inch pieces
1/2 cup chopped onions
½ cup chopped carrots
4 cups cold water
2 large parsley sprigs
1 fresh thyme sprig
6 peppercorns
1 bay leaf
2 tablespoons frozen chicken fat
Additional onions and carrots for cavity
For the Tarragon Jus:
1 large shallot, minced
2 teaspoons chopped fresh tarragon
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, chilled and cut into pieces
Salt and pepper to taste
Make stock of frozen excess fat from tail: Sauté 1-inch pieces of neck and heart in tail fat (unfrozen).
Sauté for 8 minutes until brown.
Add 1/2 cup chopped onions and ½ cup chopped carrots, sauté about 3 minutes until vegetables are tender, scraping brown bits.
Add 4 cups cold water and reserved solid fat pieces.
Bring to boil.
Add 2 large parsley sprigs, 1 fresh thyme sprig, 6 peppercorns and 1 bay leaf.
Simmer down to 2 cups—about 2 ½ hours.
Prepare chicken as usual for roasting, rubbing 2 tablespoons frozen fat over skin.
Fill cavity with onions and carrots.
Roast, breast side down for 30 minutes or until skin begins to crisp at 350°F (180°C).
Turn chicken over with breast side up.
Roast about 1 hour and 15 minutes—until internal temperature reaches 180°F (82°C) in innermost thigh.
Tent with foil to keep warm.
For the tarragon jus:
Pour pan juices in 4-cup glass measuring cup.
Strain chicken stock into pan juices, pressing on solids to release liquid.
Freeze stock 5 minutes.
Spoon fat off top of stock and place 1 tablespoon in roasting pan.
Heat fat over medium heat, add shallots and bring to boil, scraping browned bits.
Reduce to 1 cup, about 8 minutes.
Remove from heat and add butter, 1 piece at a time and whisk until melted and well blended.
Season with salt and pepper.
Servings
Serves 4
Nutrition Facts
Nutrition Per Serving - Calories: 590; Total Fat: 38g (Saturated Fat: 12g); Cholesterol: 195mg; Sodium: 220mg; Total Carbohydrates: 7g (Dietary Fiber: 1g, Sugars: 3g); Protein: 55g
*Nutrition information is provided as a general estimate only and may not be accurate. Variations may occur based on ingredient brands and preparation methods.