Herb-Basted Chicken with Pearl Barley, Bacon, and Root Vegetable Pilaf

Ingredients for Herb-Basted Chicken with Pearl Barley, Bacon, and Root Vegetable Pilaf

• 475ml water

• 1/2 teaspoons salt

• 240ml pearl barley, rinsed, drained

• 170g bacon, diced

• 1 shallot, minced

• 300ml 1/4- to 1/3-inch cubes peeled root vegetables (such as celery root, carrot, turnip, rutabaga, and/or butternut squash)

• Pinch of sugar

• 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice

• 1/2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme

• 1/2 teaspoons chopped fresh rosemary

• 90ml canola oil

• 4 large chicken breast halves with skin and bones

• 2 tablespoons (1/4 stick) butter

• 1/2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme

• 1/2 teaspoons chopped fresh rosemary

How to make Herb-Basted Chicken with Pearl Barley, Bacon, and Root Vegetable Pilaf

Bring 475ml water and salt to boil in medium saucepan. Mix in barley. Cover pan, reduce heat to medium, and simmer until barley is tender, about 30 minutes. Drain barley.

Sauté bacon in large pot over medium heat until brown and crisp. Using slotted spoon, transfer bacon to paper towels. Pour off all but 2 tablespoons drippings from pot. Add shallot; stir 30 seconds. Add cubed vegetables and sugar; sauté 6 minutes. Add barley, lemon juice, and herbs; stir 2 minutes. Mix in bacon; season with salt and pepper. (Can be made 1 hour ahead. Let stand at room temperature. Cover and place in oven to rewarm while chicken roasts, adding water by tablespoonfuls to moisten if dry.)

Preheat oven to 177°C. Heat oil in large ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Sprinkle chicken with salt and pepper. Place chicken, skin side down, in skillet. Cook until skin browns, about 7 minutes. Add butter and herbs to skillet; stir to blend. Turn chicken skin side up. Place skillet in oven; roast chicken until cooked through, basting occasionally with herb butter, about 20 minutes.

Divide pilaf among 4 plates; top with chicken. Spoon pan juices over.

Disclaimer

While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate and up to date, individual needs may vary and dietary requirements can differ based on personal health conditions. Always check food labels and allergen information before preparing or consuming any recipe. If you have specific health concerns, allergies, intolerances, or are following a medically prescribed diet, seek advice from your GP, pharmacist, or a registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet or lifestyle.