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Beer-and-Orange-Marinated Roast Chicken

This image may contain Food Plant Fungus and Roast
Peden + Munk

The longer you let these birds soak up the beer, spices, and orange, the better.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    8 servings

Ingredients

2 3½–4-pound chickens, backbones removed
3 oranges, divided
4 12-ounce bottles lager
6 tablespoons kosher salt, plus more
3 tablespoons Aleppo-style pepper or other mild crushed pepper, plus more for serving
3 tablespoons sumac, plus more for serving

Ingredient Info

Sumac can be found at Middle Eastern markets, specialty foods stores, and online.

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Place one of the chickens on a work surface, skin side up. Using your palms, press firmly on breastbone to flatten breast (you should hear the bone crack). Repeat with remaining chicken.

    Step 2

    Slice 2 oranges into ½"-thick rounds and squeeze juice from slices into a tall pot; drop in slices and add beer, 6 Tbsp. salt, 3 Tbsp. Aleppo-style pepper, and 3 Tbsp. sumac. Submerge chickens in marinade and turn to coat. Weigh down with a plate and chill at least 2 hours and up to 12 hours.

    Step 3

    Place a rack in upper third of oven; preheat to 475°. Remove chickens from marinade; discard marinade. Pat chickens dry with paper towels and season generously with salt. Place side by side on a wire rack set inside a rimmed baking sheet. Roast, rotating baking sheet halfway through, until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of thighs registers 165°, 35–40 minutes. Transfer chickens to a cutting board and let rest at least 10 minutes.

    Step 4

    Slice half of the remaining orange into ¼”-thick rounds, then cut the other half into wedges. Transfer chickens to a platter, scatter orange slices and wedges over, and sprinkle with more Aleppo-style pepper and sumac. Dip some wedges in spices if desired.

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