Braised Whole Chicken in Coconut Milk

Ingredients

1- 4 1/2-5 lb whole chicken, left (on a rack) uncovered in refrigerator overnight*
Salt and Pepper plus 1/2 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 cup white wine
1-13.5 oz can Andre Prost Coconut Milk (found in the baking aisle)
1 large onion, diced
3 stalks celery, diced
8 large cloves garlic, minced
4-5 lengthwise strips of lemon peel (no pith please)
3 sprigs thyme
1/2 cup chopped parsley

The easy prep for this tender chicken begins with refrigerated air-drying the night before. This step makes for an ultra-moist chicken. The flavorful broth, made with Andre Prost Coconut Milk, doubles as a savory sauce for the chicken.

Time

25 minutes to assemble
55-60 minutes to bake
Total time: 80-85 minutes

Yield

4-6 servings

Time

Yield

Directions

Dry chicken well. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Let rest on rack, uncovered overnight in the refrigerator.
Preheat oven to 350°F. Heat olive oil in large pot or Dutch oven. Brown chicken on all sides. Remove to plate and cover with aluminum foil. Pour grease from pot and add wine. Boil until reduced by half, scraping up brown bits from bottom of pan (deglaze).
Add Coconut Milk, onion, celery, garlic, lemon peel* and thyme. Bring to a boil and simmer for 5 minutes. Add chicken to pot and baste with liquid, cover and place in oven. Cook 55-60 minutes or until meat thermometer reads 160°F. Remove chicken to platter and cover (temperature will rise to 165°F).
While chicken is resting, boil sauce 5-10 minutes. Remove thyme sprigs and mix in chopped parsley. If you want a smooth sauce: blend sauce on low, with no top, so steam can escape. Cut chicken into pieces and ladle some sauce over chicken. Serve remaining sauce on side. This entrée is great with mashed potatoes, rice or just served with big slices of Italian bread.