Arrosto di Pollo Puttanesca ~ Roasted Puttanesca Chicken
 
 
Ingredients
  • 4-6 chicken legs, preferably organic, free-range
  • Herbs de Provence
  • Dried oregano
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 head of garlic, cloves peeled and separated
  • 1 cup of assorted olives, all colors
  • olive oil
  • juice from one lemon
  • 1 – 2 large handfuls of basil leaves torn up, plus extra to garnish
  • 2-3 cups cherry or plum tomatoes
  • 1/2 small jar large capers with stem
  • (found in specialty Italian grocers, like Mercato)
  • Buffalo Mozzarella
  • Fresh pasta to serve 4-6
  • Tomato Basil Spaghetti Sauce (optional)
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350° F.
  2. Wash and pat dry the chicken legs. Generously season with de provence, oregano, and pepper. Lay skin side up, tucked close together in a smallish roasting pan.
  3. Scatter the olives and garlic over and under the chicken legs.
  4. Drizzle generously with the olive oil. Squeeze the juice of half a lemon over top.
  5. Bake, uncovered, in the oven for about 20-25 minutes. Remove excess fat if needed.
  6. Then add the basil, tomatoes and capers, giving everything a good stir. Add olive oil as needed.
  7. Bake for another 20-25 minutes.
  8. About 10 minutes before the chicken is done cooking, bring a large pot of salted water to boil over high heat. Add the fresh pasta and cook, about 8 minutes.
  9. If the chicken skin has not crisped, broil, carefully, for a few minutes to crisp up.
  10. Serve the chicken spooned over the pasta. My son likes more sauce, so a fresh tomato basil sauce was spooned over the pasta first. Dollop all over generous pieces of mozzarella. Garnish with extra fresh basil leaves.
Recipe by Just a Smidgen at https://justasmidgen.com/2012/09/06/arrosto-di-pollo-puttanesca-roasted-puttanesca-chicken/