Roasting Chicken in Rock Salt

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salt roasted chicken by Angela Roberts

The next time someone calls you a chicken, take it as a compliment. I can’t imagine the world without chickens or the eggs they produce. I know I know, someone vegan will show me differently, but they’ll never convince me. I eat my eggs runny, and I eat my chicken right off the bone, with my fingers. I’m not big on sauces for every day reality cooking, but I’m big on feeling satisfied, which is why I almost always cook whole chicken.

Roasting chicken in rock salt is something I naturally would one day get around to doing.  Roast chicken is my signature dish, and I’ve made it a dozen different ways, although almost always with the same technique, high heat and a cast iron pan.

Oh and yes, there is salt involved. Now why is that?

Salt Roasted Chicken by Angela Roberts

Salt brings tenderness to meats that tend to dry out. The breast of the chicken is vulnerable to drying out and getting tough and unappetizing. Salt is magical in cooking, not just for it’s flavor enhancing properties, but for tenderizing.  If you are like me, you need easy recipes to fall back on, when you are in brain overload. Roasting chicken in rock salt looks cool and even somewhat exotic, but it couldn’t be any easier. I try hard to write with my readers in mind. There is a foodie following, but most of you are regular home cooks, looking for ideas and kitchen help and you are the folks I write for. If any recipe helps just one person change their kitchen life for the better, I’m satisfied.

Roasting Chicken in Rock Salt by Angela Roberts

Roasting a chicken in salt is something most folks don’t do everyday, but try this, and be surprised at how tender it is, and flavorful, not salty like you might think. Insert some citrus inside the chicken for some acid and any kind of herbs you prefer.

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4.80 from 5 votes

Roasting Chicken in Rock Salt

Rock Salt roasted chicken is easy, and a sure way to get a tender, crispy bird.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time1 hour
Total Time1 hour 10 minutes
Course: Entree
Cuisine: American
Servings: 4
Author: Angela Roberts

Ingredients

  • 1 small chicken
  • 1 box of rock salt 4 pound box
  • 2 small organic lemons
  • fresh herbs

Instructions

  • Rinse and pat chicken dry. Make sure to clean cavity.
  • Stuff chicken with two organic lemons you have pierced with a fork.
  • Heat oven to 450
  • When oven is ready, place chicken and rock salt in a cast iron pan or baking pan.
  • I put some salt underneath the chicken too.
  • Bake for 50-70 minutes depending on size of chicken so that internal temperature is 165.

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If you love this recipe, please give it five stars. It means a lot. xoxo

 

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13 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    I have cooked this before…. But I got the salt wet first, then packed the chicken in the salt until you can’t see it.

    You use an ice pick or chisel to crack the salt open. Dramatic and delicious.

    1. My dad made this years ago, and I remember him dunking the chicken in boiling water for a few seconds before putting it in the salt. It was amazing.

  2. What a wonderful, easy meal! This definitely falls into the “finger lickin’ good” category for me. I followed the directions exactly and had no problems at all making this. I served it with basmati rice, green beans and baby corn. There was enough leftover glaze from the chicken to drizzle over the rice. Next I plan to try this with chicken wings. Thanks Tomoko and Toshiko for a truly outstanding recipe 🙂 

  3. 5 stars
    oh my goodness, i love salt-roasted chicken!
    have also roasted small spuds (fingerlings are good for this) in salt and they’re just delish…..it’s been a while since i’ve done this, so thank you for the reminder; this is simple, yet elegant ;0)

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