Chicken in salt crust

Captivating Recipe: Salt-Crusted Chicken

Preparation Time: 20 minutes
Baking Time: 1 hour and 30 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour and 50 minutes
Servings: 4-6

Dreaming of an impressive meal to wow your family or friends? I invite you to discover the salt-crusted chicken recipe. This cooking method is not only simple but also offers an exceptional culinary experience, keeping the chicken juicy and infusing it with delicious flavors. Additionally, you can apply this technique to fish or other types of meat.

Ingredients:
- 1 whole chicken (approximately 1.5-2 kg)
- 2 tablespoons anise
- 2 tablespoons dried thyme
- 2 tablespoons dried basil
- 2 bay leaves
- Zest of one lemon (without the white part)
- 4 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 egg whites
- 1.5 kg coarse salt

Preparation:

1. Preparing the chicken: Start by washing the chicken well under cold running water. Make sure it is clean and free of feathers. Dry it with a paper towel to achieve a crispy crust at the end.

2. Creating the aromatic mixture: In a small bowl, combine the anise, thyme, basil, crushed bay leaves, and lemon zest. This mixture will give the chicken a rich and interesting flavor.

3. Seasoning: Rub the chicken with olive oil, then fill it with the aromatic mixture. Ensure that you distribute the spices evenly, both on the outside and inside of the chicken to enhance the flavor.

4. Preparing the salt crust: In a large bowl, mix the coarse salt with the egg whites. Use a spatula to combine the mixture until you achieve a wet but compact paste. This combination will help the salt adhere to the chicken during baking.

5. Forming the crust: Preheat the oven to 200°C. Place a sheet of parchment paper on a large baking tray. Put a layer of salt about 1 cm thick on the bottom of the tray. Place the chicken on top and completely cover it with the remaining salt, forming an even crust.

6. Baking: Place the tray in the preheated oven and bake the chicken for about 1 hour and 30 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 75°C. A good method to check is by using a meat thermometer.

7. Serving: After baking, let the chicken rest for 10 minutes. Use a meat mallet or knife to break the salt crust. Carefully remove the salt and cut the chicken into portions. You can serve it with a fresh salad or grilled vegetables for an unforgettable lunch or dinner.

Practical Tips:
- If you want to experiment, you can add other herbs to the spice mixture, such as marjoram or oregano.
- This method is ideal for preparing fish, such as sea bream or salmon. Replace the chicken with a whole fish and follow the same steps for a fantastic result.
- The salt crust will be crispy and salty, but the chicken will remain juicy and full of flavor, thanks to the cooking method.

Salt-crusted chicken is not just a simple recipe but also a way to bring a touch of magic to your kitchen. Try it, and you will surely be delighted with the results!

 Ingredients: 1 whole chicken, 2 tablespoons of anise, thyme, basil, bay leaves, zest of one lemon, 4 tablespoons of oil, 4 egg whites, 1.5 kg of coarse salt