My Goals & Discoveries
Plush, tender-chewy crumb
Our stir-together dough contains warm water, which jump-starts yeast activity to create an open, airy crumb. Instead of kneading the dough, we let it sit overnight in the refrigerator for a crust with enough structure to support toppings without being tough.
Crisp, well-browned crust
Baking the pie in a generously oiled cast-iron skillet essentially fries the outside of the crust. We also move the skillet to the stove for the last few minutes of cooking to crisp up the underside of the crust.
Crunchy, cheesy edge
Pressing shredded Monterey Jack cheese around the edge of the dough and up the sides of the skillet creates a well-browned, crispy, savory ring of cheese called frico.
Bright, thick, no-cook sauce
Crushing canned whole tomatoes (which are less processed and fresher-tasting than canned crushed tomatoes) by hand allows juice to drain off for a thicker sauce. Pureeing the tomatoes in the food processor with classic seasonings makes a fast no-cook sauce.
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Start Free TrialAbsolutely the best chicken ever, even the breast meat was moist! It's the only way I'll cook a whole chicken again. Simple, easy, quick, no mess - perfect every time. I've used both stainless steel and cast iron pans. great and easy technique for “roasted” chicken. I will say there were no pan juices, just fat in the skillet. Will add to the recipe rotation. Good for family and company dinners too. I've done this using a rimmed sheet pan instead of a skillet and put veggies and potatoes around the chicken for a one-pan meal. Broccoli gets nicely browned and yummy!
Absolutely the best chicken ever, even the breast meat was moist! It's the only way I'll cook a whole chicken again. Simple, easy, quick, no mess - perfect every time. I've used both stainless steel and cast iron pans. great and easy technique for “roasted” chicken. I will say there were no pan juices, just fat in the skillet. Will add to the recipe rotation. Good for family and company dinners too.
Amazed this recipe works out as well as it does. Would not have thought that the amount of time under the broiler would have produced a very juicy and favorable chicken with a very crispy crust. Used my 12" Lodge Cast Iron skillet (which can withstand 1000 degree temps to respond to those who wondered if it would work) and it turned out great. A "make again" as my family rates things. This is a great recipe, and I will definitely make it again. My butcher gladly butterflied the chicken for me, therefore I found it to be a fast and easy prep. I used my cast iron skillet- marvellous!
John, wasn't it just amazing chicken? So much better than your typical oven baked chicken and on par if not better than gas or even charcoal grilled. It gets that smokey charcoal tasted and overnight koshering definitely helps, something I do when time permits. First-time I've pierced a whole chicken minus the times I make jerk chicken on the grill. Yup, the cast iron was not an issue.