Ingredients
1 1/2 Tbsp fine sea salt
1 Tbsp fresh or dried orange peel, ground
1 tsp sweet paprika
1 tsp red chilli flakes
1 tsp ground coriander
1 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
1 whole chicken (about 4 lbs/1.8kg), cut and separated into breasts and legs (skin on)
4 firm/about 500 g yellow peaches, cut in half, stone removed and discarded
2 garlic cloves, halved
1 Tbsp olive oil
1 cup/240 ml low-sodium chicken stock or water (stock gives you a richer flavor)
2 Tbsp fresh spearmint leaves (mint will also do – this is a good recipe to try out those rarer varieties such as lemon or apple)
2 Tbsp fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425F/220C.
- Mix all the spices from the salt to pepper in a small bowl. Pat the chicken pieces dry with clean paper towels, then gently rub the chicken with the spice mix. Then transfer the chicken to a baking dish, and stick the peach halves between the chicken pieces and the garlic cloves. Drizzle the olive oil and then add the chicken stock. Transfer to the oven and bake for 45 to 50 minutes or until the chicken turns golden brown, the skin is crispy, and the internal temperature reaches 165F/74C. Baste the chicken a few times with the liquids in the pan (I do this two to three times about every 15 minutes). Remove from oven when done and let it rest covered for about 5 minutes before garnishing with the mint and parsley. Serve hot or warm. Leftovers will be good if stored in an airtight container for up to 4 days in the refrigerator.
Notes
- Nectarines can be used instead of peaches.
- I prefer dried orange peel in this recipe but fresh works just as well.