Nigella Chicken With 40 Cloves Of Garlic Recipe [GUIDE]

Let’s talk about Nigella Lawson’s Chicken with 40 Cloves of Garlic. the recipe that, once you try it, might just become one of your signature dishes. It’s one of those meals where, on paper, it sounds a little extreme. 40 cloves of garlic. but it works in a way that will make you wonder why you’ve never thought of this before. The garlic, once roasted and softened, becomes sweet and mellow, transforming into a rich, buttery, almost caramelized essence that pairs perfectly with the tender, juicy chicken.

I remember the first time I tried this. It was a chilly evening and I was craving something comforting but also a bit daring. The idea of 40 cloves of garlic seemed overwhelming at first but I trusted Nigella. I wasn’t disappointed. The smell that filled the kitchen was intoxicating. The garlic loses its sharpness, taking on a deep, roasted flavor and when mixed with the chicken juices, the whole dish feels like a warm hug from the inside. You don’t get that heavy, pungent garlic taste you might expect. Instead, it’s rich, nuanced and subtle.

This dish is perfect for a cozy dinner with friends or family. It feels fancy without being overly complicated which is exactly the kind of meal that Nigella Lawson, queen of effortless elegance, excels at. It’s that kind of meal you serve when you want to impress but without breaking a sweat.

Nigella Chicken With 40 Cloves Of Garlic Recipe

Ingredients Needed

To make this dish, you’ll need ingredients that are simple but they work together in a surprisingly magical way. Here’s what you’ll need:

• 1 whole chicken (about 1.5 kg / 3.5 lbs) – This will be your main event. A nice, juicy bird is essential here as it will soak up all the lovely flavors from the garlic and thyme.
• 40 cloves of garlic – Yes, 40. It sounds like a lot but they soften and mellow out when roasted. They’re the true star of the show.
• 2 tbsp olive oil. This is for browning the chicken and making sure it gets that golden, crispy skin.
• Fresh thyme – A couple of sprigs, to add an earthy, aromatic depth to the dish.
• 1 lemon – You’ll use both the zest and the juice for a bit of zing and balance.
• Salt and pepper – A little seasoning goes a long way to enhance all the flavors.
• 1 cup of white wine (or chicken stock, if you prefer). This is to create a beautiful sauce that’ll accompany the chicken.

Equipment Needed

You don’t need much here but there are a few key tools that’ll make your life easier:

• A large roasting pan. It should be big enough to fit the chicken comfortably. You want it to roast evenly, with enough room for the garlic and thyme.
• A sharp knife – You’ll need this to chop the garlic and lemon. The sharper the better!
• A pair of tongs. For flipping the chicken around and making sure it gets a nice, golden crust on all sides.
• A meat thermometer – If you’ve got one, it’s perfect for checking the chicken’s internal temperature. You’re looking for 75°C (165°F) at the thickest part of the chicken.

Instructions To Make Nigella Lawson’s Chicken With 40 Cloves Of Garlic

Now, let’s dive into the magic of cooking this dish.

1. Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F). You want a hot oven to get that crisp, golden skin on your chicken.
2. Prepare the garlic – Peel all 40 cloves of garlic. Trust me, this will take a few minutes but the end result is so worth it. You can either peel them individually or bash them lightly with the flat side of your knife to get the skins off.
3. Brown the chicken – Heat the olive oil in your roasting pan over medium-high heat. Season the chicken generously with salt and pepper, then brown the chicken on all sides. You’ll want to get it nice and crispy which should take about 5-7 minutes. This step will give your chicken that golden, beautiful color.
4. Add the garlic – Once your chicken is browned, surround it with the peeled garlic cloves. Squeeze in the juice of your lemon and throw in the lemon halves along with the thyme sprigs.
5. Roast it – Pour in the white wine or chicken stock, then place the roasting pan in the oven. Roast for about 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes. The chicken should be fully cooked through. the skin should be crisp and golden and the garlic cloves will have softened and caramelized. If you’ve got a meat thermometer, this is when you should check the temperature.
6. Let it rest – Once out of the oven, let the chicken rest for about 10 minutes before carving. This helps the juices redistribute throughout the chicken, making it extra juicy and tender.
7. Serve – Serve the chicken with the garlic cloves and any juices from the roasting pan. You can spread the soft garlic on the chicken or even mash it into a spread for bread. I like to serve it with mashed potatoes or crusty bread to soak up all that incredible garlic-infused sauce.

What I Learnt

Making this dish taught me a lot about the power of simplicity in cooking. It’s easy to overthink meals, trying to add too many ingredients or overcomplicating the steps. But with this chicken, you realize that sometimes less is more. The garlic takes center stage in a way that feels indulgent but not heavy. It was also a reminder of how transformative slow cooking can be. roasting the garlic brings out a sweetness you never expect.

One thing I also discovered is how versatile this dish can be. If you don’t have all the exact ingredients, you can swap things out and still get a delicious result. If you don’t have white wine, chicken stock works just as well. You could even use rosemary or oregano in place of thyme, depending on what you have on hand.

Finally, I learned that it’s okay to embrace the extra in a recipe. 40 cloves of garlic might seem like an insane amount at first but it adds such depth and flavor to the dish. It’s a bold choice and sometimes, you need a little boldness in your cooking to shake things up.

FAQs

Why 40 Cloves Of Garlic In Nigella Lawson’s Chicken Recipe?

It sounds intense, right? But the garlic softens in the oven and turns into this rich, mellow, almost sweet flavor. It’s not overpowering at all. When I first tried it, I was a bit skeptical-how could it be? But trust me, it’s more aromatic than a punch of raw garlic. The slow roasting tames it beautifully.

Can I Use Chicken Breasts Instead Of A Whole Chicken For This Recipe?

You absolutely can! Though, the whole chicken method really lets the flavors meld. But, if you’re pressed for time or just don’t feel like wrestling with a whole bird, chicken breasts will work just fine. They might not absorb the same amount of flavor, but you’ll still get that garlic-infused goodness!

What Can I Serve With Nigella’s Chicken With 40 Cloves Of Garlic?

I love serving it with something simple like roasted potatoes or a side of steamed greens. The garlic sauce itself is so rich and delicious, so you don’t need to overthink the sides. I’ve even served it with a big crusty loaf of bread-perfect for mopping up all that incredible garlic sauce!