Best 5 Salt Baked Chicken Recipes

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Tantalize your taste buds with our delectable Salt-Baked Chicken, a culinary masterpiece that combines simplicity with exceptional flavor. This dish transports you to a realm of culinary delight, where tender, succulent chicken is enveloped in a crispy, savory crust. The secret lies in the unique cooking method, where the chicken is encased in a protective layer of salt, allowing it to cook evenly and retain its natural juices.

Our collection of Salt-Baked Chicken recipes caters to diverse preferences and skill levels. Whether you're a seasoned cook seeking a challenge or a novice yearning for an impressive dish, we've got you covered. Discover the classic Salt-Baked Chicken recipe, where the chicken is lovingly coated in a flavorful salt crust and roasted to perfection. For a delightful twist, try our Herb-Crusted Salt-Baked Chicken, where aromatic herbs infuse the chicken with a symphony of flavors. And if you're short on time, our Quick and Easy Salt-Baked Chicken offers a streamlined approach without compromising on taste.

Each recipe provides detailed instructions, ensuring that every step is crystal clear. From selecting the perfect chicken to creating the perfect salt crust, we guide you through the process with precision. Moreover, our recipes include helpful tips and tricks to elevate your dish to new heights. Learn how to achieve the ideal crispiness of the salt crust, how to ensure the chicken remains moist and succulent, and how to create a tantalizing sauce to complement the chicken's savory flavors.

Prepare to embark on a culinary adventure with our Salt-Baked Chicken recipes. Whether you're hosting a special occasion dinner or simply seeking a memorable weeknight meal, this dish is guaranteed to impress. So, gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and let's embark on a journey of taste and culinary exploration.

Here are our top 5 tried and tested recipes!

SALT-BAKED CHICKEN



Salt-Baked Chicken image

Note: These recipes have been adapted from "The Chinese Chicken Cookbook" by Eileen Yin-Fei Lo. Copyright 2003 by Eileen Yin-Fei Lo. Reprinted by permission of Simon and Schuster.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Chicken Recipes

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 one-inch piece dried tangerine skin
2 whole dried lotus leaves, or 4-foot piece cheesecloth
6 pounds coarse salt
1 whole chicken (3 1/2 pounds), cleaned well, rinsed, and patted dry
2 tablespoons Shao-Hsing wine or sherry
3 scallions, trimmed, cut into 1-inch-long pieces, white parts lightly smashed
1 slice (1/2-inch long) peeled ginger
Salt-Baked Chicken Dip

Steps:

  • Place tangerine skin in a small bowl. Add enough hot water to cover. In a large bowl, place lotus leaves. Add enough hot water to cover, and place a second bowl over leaves to keep them submerged. Let tangerine skin and lotus leaves soak for 30 minutes. Drain; set aside.
  • Meanwhile; preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place 3 pounds salt in a large Dutch oven, and 3 pounds salt in a roasting pan. Place Dutch oven and roasting pan in oven until very hot, about 30 minutes
  • Rub chicken all over with the Shao-Hsing. Stuff scallions, ginger, and soaked tangerine skin into the cavity of the chicken. Wrap chicken with overlapping lotus leaves, or cheesecloth, to enclose.
  • Remove salt from oven, and increase temperature to 450 degrees. Make a shallow well in salt in the Dutch oven. Place chicken, breast-side up, in the well. Spoon salt from the roasting pan over chicken to cover completely. Roast for 1 hour and 10 minutes. Remove chicken from oven, and let stand for 15 minutes.
  • Brush away salt, and transfer chicken to a cutting board. Unwrap it, and discard lotus leaves. Chop chicken into bite-size pieces. Serve immediately with salt-baked chicken dip on the side.

SALT-BAKED SPATCHCOCK CHICKEN WITH GINGER SCALLION SAUCE



Salt-Baked Spatchcock Chicken with Ginger Scallion Sauce image

Salt-baked chicken was my family's version of roast chicken. When my dad made it on weekends, the house would be perfumed with fragrant sand ginger (aka ground galangal) and smoked salt. Unlike the roasted version, the bird here is wrapped in parchment paper then "baked" by salt heated on the stovetop in a Dutch oven. While the skin won't crisp up, you'll be rewarded with the juiciest chicken ever. To minimize the cooking time and amount of salt used, I start with a spatchcock chicken, which becomes infused with even more flavor from the aromatics, thanks to the increased surface area. The zingy ginger scallion sauce accompanying the dish adds a hit of freshness. Afterward, the cooled salt can be saved in an airtight container for the next time you crave this dish--it won't be long after your first bite!

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Categories     main-dish

Time 2h40m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 10

One 3-pound box coarse kosher salt
1 tablespoon plus 1/4 teaspoon sand ginger powder (aka ground galangal; available at Chinese markets and online)
1/2 teaspoon ground white pepper
One 3-pound whole chicken, spatchcocked, large pieces of fat trimmed and reserved (see Cook's Note)
1 tablespoon Shaoxing wine
Two 2-inch pieces fresh ginger, scrubbed, 1 sliced into 1/2-inch-thick coins and 1 finely grated
4 large scallions, 2 cut into 2-inch lengths and 2 minced
Two 3-foot-long pieces kitchen twine
1/4 teaspoon sugar
Up to 1/2 cup store-bought rendered chicken fat (or neutral oil, such as vegetable or canola)

Steps:

  • Measure out 1 tablespoon salt from the box into a small bowl; add the 1 tablespoon sand ginger powder and the white pepper and mix well until combined. Measure out 1/4 teaspoon salt from the box into a medium heatproof bowl. Set both bowls aside.
  • Pat the chicken dry all over with paper towels then transfer to a wire rack set inside a rimmed baking sheet. Brush both sides of the chicken with the Shaoxing wine; evenly sprinkle both sides with the sand ginger mixture and rub in. Let sit, skin-side up, in a cool place away from direct sunlight for 1 hour.
  • During the last 30 minutes of the hour, pour the remaining salt from the box into a Dutch oven. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon, until the temperature of the salt reaches 450 to 500 degrees F, 20 to 30 minutes. It's okay if the salt darkens slightly. Lower the heat to low.
  • Prepare two 2 1/2-foot-long sheets of parchment paper on a work surface. Add the ginger slices and scallion segments in an even layer to one of the sheets; place the chicken on top with the legs pointing toward a short side of the parchment. Fold the long sides of the parchment over the chicken, followed by the short sides to fully wrap the bird. Feel free to roll the short sides for a tighter seal. Slide the twine under the parchment and tie up the package like a gift, crossing the ends across the middle lengthwise and crosswise. Repeat wrapping and tying the chicken with the second sheet of parchment and second piece of twine.
  • Carefully transfer half of the hot salt from the Dutch oven into another medium heatproof bowl and set aside.
  • Level the remaining salt in the Dutch oven with a wooden spoon to create an even layer at least 1/4 inch deep. Nestle in the wrapped chicken, breast-side up. Pour the reserved hot salt directly on top. Cook, covered, over medium-high heat for 50 minutes. Remove the Dutch oven from the heat and let sit, covered, for 30 minutes. The residual heat will continue to cook the chicken.
  • Meanwhile, add the sugar, grated ginger, minced scallions and remaining 1/4 teaspoon sand ginger powder to the reserved 1/4 teaspoon salt; mix until well combined then set aside.
  • Add any reserved fat from the chicken to a small saucepan. Cook over medium-low heat until the fat is rendered and any solids are dark brown and crispy, 10 to 15 minutes (depending on the amount of chicken fat). If rendering the fat does not yield 1/2 cup of liquid, make up the difference with the store-bought rendered fat or neutral oil and heat until hot. Add 2 tablespoons of the hot fat at a time to the ginger scallion mixture; if it bubbles up, let it settle for about 15 seconds after each addition. Stir until everything is combined. Set aside until ready to serve.
  • When the 30 minutes are up for the chicken, remove the lid and brush off as much salt as possible with a wooden spoon. Carefully transfer the parchment package to a large cutting board or rimmed baking sheet. Cut the twine and unwrap the chicken. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the chicken should reach 165 degrees F and the juices should run clear. Allow it to rest, unwrapped, for 15 minutes.
  • To carve the chicken, remove the legs and cut each into drumsticks and thighs. Carve out the wings then remove each breast and slice it to your desired thickness. Arrange the chicken on a serving platter. Feel free to pour any accumulated juices over the chicken or serve on the side in a bowl. Serve with the ginger scallion sauce on the side.

CHEF JOHN'S SALT ROASTED CHICKEN



Chef John's Salt Roasted Chicken image

This is one of those rare recipes where the name is the same as the ingredient list. You're going to be so shocked at how flavorful, juicy, and amazing this roast chicken comes out.

Provided by Chef John

Categories     Meat and Poultry Recipes     Chicken     Whole Chicken Recipes

Time 1h15m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 (3 1/2) pound whole chicken at room temperature
3 tablespoons kosher salt, or as needed
1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme
1 lemon, juiced
⅓ cup chicken broth
1 tablespoon water, or as needed
2 tablespoons cold butter, cut into four pieces
salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
1 pinch cayenne pepper, or to taste

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C).
  • Dry the outside of chicken with paper towels. Tuck the wing tips underneath the chicken and place into a large oven-safe skillet. Use scissors to snip off the tail, if desired.
  • Generously sprinkle kosher salt into the cavity and over the back and sides of chicken. Tie chicken legs together with kitchen twine. Sprinkle salt generously over the breasts, coating them thoroughly. Wipe excess salt out of skillet with paper towels.
  • Bake chicken in the preheated oven until an instant-read meat thermometer inserted into a thigh, not touching bone, reads 160 degrees C (70 degrees C), 50 to 60 minutes. Remove from skillet to a serving platter and let rest 5 to 10 minutes.
  • Blot about 90 percent of the chicken fat from the skillet with a paper towel held with tongs, leaving the browned bits of food in the skillet. Place skillet over medium-high heat and add thyme leaves. Cook and stir until thyme is wilted, 1 to 2 minutes. Pour lemon juice, chicken broth, and water into skillet, stirring until the browned bits dissolve and the sauce has reduced by about half, 1 to 2 minutes.
  • Reduce heat to low, add cold butter, and stir until butter has begun to melt. Add any accumulated juices from the chicken to sauce and continue to stir until butter is incorporated and sauce is slightly thickened, about 1 minute. Remove from heat and season with salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper to taste. Spoon sauce over chicken to serve.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 553.6 calories, Carbohydrate 1.2 g, Cholesterol 185.4 mg, Fat 35.7 g, Fiber 0.1 g, Protein 53.7 g, SaturatedFat 12 g, Sodium 4604.2 mg, Sugar 0.4 g

SALT-BAKED CHICKEN



Salt-Baked Chicken image

Provided by Eileen Yin-Fei Lo

Categories     dinner, main course

Time 2h

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 fresh chicken, about 3 pounds, washed, interior membranes removed, drained, dried thoroughly inside and out
1 1/2 teaspoons dry vermouth
1 teaspoon salt
1 slice of fresh ginger, peeled
3 scallions, without whisker ends and green tips, washed and dried thoroughly
1 piece of eight-star anise
Cheesecloth sufficient to wrap entire chicken
6 pounds kosher salt
6 sprigs of coriander for garnishing

Steps:

  • Rub inside of chicken cavity with dry vermouth and salt, then place ginger, scallions and anise inside.
  • Wrap chicken entirely in cheesecloth, knotting cloth at neck and tail.
  • Pour all kosher salt into a wok and heat over medium flame from 30 to 45 minutes, stirring frequently, until salt is quite hot.
  • Scoop out a well in the salt, place chicken, breast side down, in well, then cover completely with salt. Cover wok. Bake chicken for 1 to 1 1/4 hours over medium heat. Chicken should be thoroughly cooked in this time, but to make certain, if desired, pierce thigh with fork. If juice runs clear, the chicken is cooked.
  • Remove chicken from wok, brush off salt, remove cheesecloth and discard ingredients in chest cavity. Place chicken on chopping block, cut off legs and wings. Then either cut chicken into bite-size pieces with a cleaver or shred meat with fingers into two-inch-long strips.
  • Arrange on a serving platter and garnish with coriander. Serve with individual dishes of scallion-ginger sauce.

SALT-BAKED CHICKEN



Salt-Baked Chicken image

Provided by Molly O'Neill

Categories     dinner, main course

Time 2h20m

Yield Four servings

Number Of Ingredients 2

About 4 pounds kosher salt
1 4-pound chicken

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Put the salt in a heavy pot with a lid, slightly larger than the chicken. Place the pot, uncovered, over medium heat until the salt is very hot, stirring from time to time, about 30 minutes.
  • Scoop most of the salt into a large bowl, leaving a 1 1/2-to-2-inch layer of salt in the bottom of the pot. Place the chicken over the salt layer, breast side up. Spoon the remaining salt over and around the chicken, so that it is completely buried in salt.
  • Cover the pot with the lid. Bake until the chicken is cooked through, about 1 1/2 hours. Scrape the salt from the chicken and remove from the pot. Wipe off as much of the salt as possible and let stand for 10 minutes. Carve the chicken and serve.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 663, UnsaturatedFat 29 grams, Fat 46 grams, Protein 57 grams, SaturatedFat 13 grams, Sodium 1055 milligrams, TransFat 0 grams

Tips:

  • Choosing the Right Chicken: Opt for a whole chicken weighing around 3 to 4 pounds, ensuring it's fresh and of good quality.
  • Preparing the Salt Crust: Use a combination of coarse sea salt and egg whites to create the salt crust. The salt crust helps seal in the chicken's moisture and enhances its flavor.
  • Proper Salting: Ensure the salt crust is evenly distributed around the chicken, covering it completely. This will create a crispy and flavorful crust.
  • Baking Temperature and Time: Bake the chicken at a high temperature of 450°F (230°C) for the first 30 minutes to create a crispy crust. Then, reduce the temperature to 375°F (190°C) and continue baking for an additional 45 minutes to ensure the chicken is cooked through.
  • Resting the Chicken: After baking, let the chicken rest for at least 15 minutes before carving. This allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in tender and flavorful meat.
  • Garnish and Serving: Before serving, brush the chicken with melted butter or olive oil to enhance its appearance and flavor. Garnish with fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary for an aromatic touch.

Conclusion:

Salt-baked chicken is a simple yet impressive dish that showcases the natural flavors of the chicken. With its crispy salt crust and tender, juicy meat, this recipe is sure to delight your taste buds. Whether you're hosting a special occasion dinner or looking for a flavorful weeknight meal, salt-baked chicken is an excellent choice. Its hassle-free preparation and minimal cleanup make it a favorite among home cooks. So, gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and embark on a culinary journey that will leave you craving more.

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