Chicken Roasted on Bread with Caperberries and Charred Lemon

by Cindi SutterFounder of The Spirited Table® - Recipe contributed by Justin Chapple - photo by Christina Holmes

For more roast chicken recipes go to foodandwine.com

In this super simple dish from Justin Chapple, chicken legs roast on top of torn pieces of bread that absorb the rich and tangy juices, becoming deliciously crisp and chewy.

Ingredients
1/2 lb sourdough bread, torn into bite-size pieces
4 large shallots, quartered lengthwise
3/4 cup drained caperberries
2 lemons, scrubbed and quartered lengthwise
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for brushing
Salt
Pepper
Four 12-ounce whole chicken legs

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 400°.
  2. On a large rimmed baking sheet, toss the bread with the shallots, caperberries, lemons and the 1/4 cup of olive oil; season with salt and pepper. Brush the chicken legs with oil and season with salt and pepper. Arrange the chicken on the bread.
  3. Roast the chicken for about 50 minutes, until the bread is crisp and an instant-read thermometer inserted in the thighs registers 160°.
  4. Transfer the chicken, bread and vegetables to plates and serve.