CAST-IRON ROAST CHICKEN WITH WINTER SQUASH, RED ONIONS, AND PANCETTA

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Cast-Iron Roast Chicken with Winter Squash, Red Onions, and Pancetta image

Why wouldn't you throw some veggies around your bird while it roasts? You've got a hot pan that's about to be full of sizzling schmaltz just begging to bathe a mosaic of squash and onions with tons of chicken-y flavor.

Provided by Chris Morocco

Categories     Bon Appétit     Chicken     Cast Iron     Winter     Squash     Onion     Pork     Dinner     Roast

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 (3 1/2-4-pound) whole chicken
Kosher salt
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
2 red onions, cut into wedges through root end
2 pound winter squash (such as delicata or acorn), cut into 1 1/2-inch-thick wedges or rounds
1 1/2 ounces pancetta, chopped into 1/4-inch pieces
3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
Freshly ground black pepper

Steps:

  • Pat chicken dry with paper towels and season generously with salt, inside and out. (We use 1 tsp. Diamond Crystal or 1/2 tsp. Morton kosher salt per lb.) Tie legs together with kitchen twine. Let sit 1 hour to allow salt to penetrate, or chill, uncovered, up to 1 day ahead.
  • Place a rack in upper third of oven and set a 12" cast-iron skillet or 3-qt. enameled cast-iron baking dish on rack. Preheat oven to 425°F.
  • Meanwhile, toss onions, squash, pancetta, and 2 Tbsp. oil in a large bowl to coat; season with salt and pepper.
  • Once oven reaches temperature, pat chicken dry with paper towels and lightly coat with half of remaining oil; sprinkle with dry rub, if using. Drizzle remaining oil into hot skillet (this helps keep the chicken from sticking and tearing the skin). Place chicken in the center of skillet and arrange squash mixture around. Roast until vegetables are golden brown and tender and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of breasts registers 155°F, 50-60 minutes (temperature will climb to 165°F as chicken rests). Let chicken rest in skillet at least 20 minutes and up to 45 minutes.
  • Transfer chicken to a cutting board and carve. Serve with vegetables.

Mudasir Poi
mudasir_p@hotmail.co.uk

Amazing recipe! The chicken was moist and flavorful, and the vegetables were perfectly roasted. I especially loved the crispy pancetta bits. Will definitely make this again!


Mr Shiblu
m-s@hotmail.co.uk

I'm not a big fan of cooking chicken, but this recipe changed my mind. The chicken was incredibly juicy and flavorful, thanks to the brine and the roasting process. The vegetables were also roasted to perfection, with a nice caramelized flavor. I ser


Umar mehar
m.u7@hotmail.com

This dish was a hit with my family! The chicken was tender and flavorful, and the vegetables were roasted to perfection. The pancetta added a nice touch of saltiness and smokiness. Will definitely make this again!


Sadat Kato
sadat-k47@yahoo.com

This roast chicken recipe is a true winner. The chicken was perfectly cooked, with crispy skin and juicy meat. The vegetables were also roasted to perfection, with a nice caramelized flavor. I served it with a side of mashed potatoes and gravy, and i


Nayebare Mackline
nayebare-m73@gmail.com

Amazing recipe! The chicken was moist and flavorful, and the vegetables were perfectly roasted. I especially loved the crispy pancetta bits. Will definitely make this again!


M Naeemsarwar
m.n@gmail.com

I'm not a big fan of cooking chicken, but this recipe changed my mind. The chicken was incredibly juicy and flavorful, thanks to the brine and the roasting process. The vegetables were also roasted to perfection, with a nice caramelized flavor. I ser


mikecool075
mikecool075@yahoo.com

This dish was a hit with my family! The chicken was tender and flavorful, and the vegetables were roasted to perfection. The pancetta added a nice touch of saltiness and smokiness. Will definitely make this again!


Luckyrachielle24
luckyrachielle246@hotmail.com

I was skeptical about cooking chicken in a cast iron skillet, but I'm so glad I tried this recipe. The chicken came out perfectly cooked, with a crispy skin and juicy meat. The vegetables were also roasted to perfection, with a nice caramelized flavo


Sofia Mohammed
s.m89@aol.com

Easy to follow recipe that yielded amazing results. The chicken was moist and succulent, and the vegetables were roasted to perfection. Will definitely be making this again!


Bishnu Bista
bista.b@gmail.com

This roast chicken recipe is a true keeper. The chicken was beautifully browned and incredibly flavorful, thanks to the combination of herbs and spices. The vegetables were also perfectly roasted, with a nice balance of sweetness and smokiness. I ser


Mohiuddin Mohiuddin
m-mohiuddin@gmail.com

Wow! This dish exceeded my expectations. The chicken was incredibly juicy and tender, and the vegetables were roasted to perfection. I especially loved the crispy pancetta bits. Will definitely make this again!


isiri niklesha
i-n@yahoo.com

I've been cooking for years, but this roast chicken recipe is definitely a game-changer. The cast iron skillet evenly distributed the heat, resulting in a perfectly browned chicken with crispy skin. The vegetables were also cooked to perfection, with


hammad ullah
h.ullah80@hotmail.com

Simply delicious! The chicken was tender and moist, while the vegetables were roasted to perfection. The pancetta added a nice touch of saltiness and smokiness. Highly recommended!


Isju Namibia
namibiaisju@yahoo.com

This roast chicken dish was an absolute delight! The chicken was juicy and flavorful, and the combination of winter squash, red onions, and pancetta created a savory and aromatic symphony. The vegetables were perfectly roasted, with a hint of caramel