FIREHOUSE CHICKEN RECIPES

Steps:

• Purée garlic, vinegar, olive oil, salt, parsley, paprika, pepper, and ½ cup vegetable oil in a blender until smooth. Place chicken in a large resealable plastic bag and pour marinade over. Seal bag and chill chicken 1–3 days.
• Remove chicken from marinade and pat dry with paper towels. Let sit uncovered at room temperature 1 hour.
• Preheat oven to 400°. Heat remaining ½ cup vegetable oil in a large cast-iron skillet over medium heat. Place 1 chicken half, skin side down, in skillet, set another skillet or heavy pot on top, and add a couple of cans to weigh it down. Cook until skin is browned and crisp, 15–20 minutes. Transfer chicken to a wire rack set inside a rimmed baking sheet. Repeat with remaining chicken half.
• Roast chicken in oven, skin side up, until cooked through and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of thigh registers 165°, 20–25 minutes. Transfer to a cutting board and let rest 15 minutes before slicing.

Steps:

• In a large bowl, whisk together 1 cup of flour, 1 tablespoon salt, and 1 teaspoon black pepper.
• Add the chicken, and toss well to evenly coat.
• Heat 1/2 cup olive oil over medium-high heat in a wide 20-quart heavy-bottomed pot.
• Add half of the chicken, and brown, turning once, until lightly golden, about 10 minutes.
• Using a slotted spoon, transfer chicken to a large bowl.
• Add remaining 1/4 cup oil to the pot and brown remaining chicken; transfer to the bowl and set aside.
• Add the onions, peppers, carrots, celery, garlic, thyme, and bay leaves to the pot, and season well with salt and pepper.
• Cook, stirring frequently, until softened, about 8 minutes.
• Add ale and bring to a simmer, scraping the brown bits off the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon.
• Add potatoes, okra, chicken stock, tomatoes and their liquid, corn, and red pepper flakes, and bring the mixture to a boil.
• Add reserved chicken, reduce heat to maintain a simmer, cover, and cook until vegetables and chicken are tender and cooked through, about 25 minutes.
• In a small bowl, whisk remaining 1/2 cup flour together with the milk until smooth.
• Stir mixture into the stew and return to a simmer.
• Cook until very thick, 2 to 3 minutes. Re-season with salt and pepper.
• Stir in the parsley and lemon juice.
• Serve with a dash of hot sauce, if desired.