Difficulty: Moderate | Serves: 4
Discover the ancient culinary art of Salt-Baked Chicken, a technique that involves encasing an entire chicken in a thick crust of salt, creating a self-basting oven that locks in moisture and enhances natural flavors. 🧂🔥 As the chicken roasts, the salt forms a hard shell, trapping steam and seasoning the meat subtly, resulting in juicy, tender chicken with incredibly crisp skin. Originating from Chinese and Mediterranean traditions, this dramatic method is perfect for special occasions and family feasts.
Ingredients
- For the Chicken:
☑ 1 whole chicken (about 4 pounds), giblets removed 🍗
☑ 2 tablespoons🥄 olive oil
☑ 1 lemon, quartered 🍋
☑ 4 cloves garlic, smashed 🧄
☑ Fresh herbs (rosemary, thyme, or sage) 🌿
☑ Black pepper to taste 🌶️ - For the Salt Crust:
☑ 4 cups coarse sea salt 🧂
☑ 4 egg whites (for binding) 🥚
☑ ½ cup water 💧
☑ Optional: citrus zest or crushed peppercorns for added aroma 🍊 - For Serving:
☑ Fresh lemon wedges 🍋
☑ Extra virgin olive oil
☑ Fresh herbs for garnish 🌱
👩🍳 Cooking Steps
🔥 Step 1: Prepare the Chicken
1️⃣ Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
2️⃣ Rinse the chicken and pat dry thoroughly with paper towels.
3️⃣ Stuff the cavity with lemon wedges, garlic, and fresh herbs.
4️⃣ Rub the outside of the chicken with olive oil and a sprinkle of black pepper.
🧂 Step 2: Make the Salt Crust
1️⃣ In a large bowl, mix the coarse sea salt with egg whites and water until the texture resembles wet sand.
2️⃣ Add citrus zest or crushed peppercorns if desired for extra aroma.
🔥 Step 3: Encase the Chicken
1️⃣ Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2️⃣ Spread a layer of the salt mixture to form a base, slightly larger than the chicken.
3️⃣ Place the chicken on the salt bed and cover completely with the remaining salt mixture, pressing firmly to seal the chicken inside a salt cocoon.
🍗 Step 4: Bake to Perfection
1️⃣ Roast in the preheated oven for 75–90 minutes, depending on the size of the chicken.
2️⃣ The salt crust will harden and turn golden brown, locking in all the juices.
✨ Step 5: Crack the Crust & Serve
1️⃣ Remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for 10 minutes.
2️⃣ Use a small hammer or the back of a spoon to gently crack open the salt crust.
3️⃣ Carefully peel away the salt shell and brush off any excess salt from the chicken skin.
🍋 Step 6: Garnish & Enjoy
1️⃣ Transfer the chicken to a serving platter.
2️⃣ Drizzle with olive oil, squeeze fresh lemon juice, and garnish with herbs.
3️⃣ Carve and serve with your favorite sides like roasted vegetables or a crisp salad.
Juicy, tender, and subtly infused with natural flavors—Salt-Baked Chicken is a show-stopping dish that’s as dramatic to reveal as it is delightful to eat.🍗
