At Palate Food + Wine, chef Octavio Becerra makes his own potted duck, whitefish, Berkshire pork, and chicken, our favorite. It's herby, homey, and sophisticated. And it makes a great lunch with a salad on the side. A timing note: The chicken needs to marinate overnight before it's braised.
Recipe information
Yield
Makes about 6 cups; 8 to 10 servings
Ingredients
Braised chicken:
Chicken rillettes:
Preparation
For braised chicken:
Step 1
Combine 2 tablespoons oil, 2 tablespoons chopped thyme, and 2 chopped bay leaves in small bowl. Rub herb mixture all over chicken; sprinkle with salt and pepper. Cover and chill overnight.
Step 2
Preheat oven to 350°F. Heat remaining 2 tablespoons oil in heavy large ovenproof pot over medium-high heat. Add chicken to pot and cook until browned on all sides, turning occasionally, about 10 minutes. Add carrot, celery, onion, and garlic; sauté until golden brown, about 7 minutes. Stir in 4 thyme sprigs and 2 whole bay leaves. Add wine and boil until almost evaporated, about 3 minutes. Add enough broth to come halfway up sides of chicken; bring to boil. Cover pot; place in oven and braise until chicken is tender, turning chicken once, about 1 hour.
Step 3
Remove pot from oven; transfer chicken to bowl and cool slightly. Strain braising liquid into large saucepan. Boil until liquid is reduced to 2 1/2 cups, about 20 minutes. Remove skin and bones from chicken; shred chicken meat into bite-size pieces and reserve for chicken rillettes. DO AHEAD: Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill chicken and braising liquid separately.
For chicken rillettes:
Step 4
Melt 1/4 cup butter in heavy large skillet over medium heat. Add shallots and sauté until tender, about 4 minutes. Add remaining 3/4 cup butter to skillet and allow to melt. Stir in tarragon and thyme, then shredded chicken and reserved 2 1/2 cups braising liquid. Simmer until chicken is very moist and tender and liquid is slightly reduced but some liquid still remains, about 5 minutes. Season mixture to taste with salt and pepper. Cool slightly. Mix in parsley and chives.
Step 5
Pack chicken rillettes into large glass jar or divide among smaller jars. Chill uncovered until cold, then seal jar and keep chilled. DO AHEAD: Can be made 5 days ahead. Keep chilled. Bring to room temperature before serving.
Step 6
Serve rillettes with crusty bread and pickles.
