These sticky chicken pieces with salsa and salad are perfect for easy yet glamorous entertaining
Prep:10 mins
Serves 6
6 large whole chicken leg pieces, skin on, cut into legs and thighs3 tbsp chipotle paste (I used Discovery)3 tsp ground coriander2 tbsp olive oiljuice 1 lime2 onions, each cut into 8 wedges6 garlic cloves, bashed flat1 mild red chilli, deseeded, finely chopped1 tbsp muscovado sugar1 tsp tomato purée200ml chicken stock
STEP 1Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Put the chicken into a plastic food bag with 2 tbsp of the chipotle paste, all the ground coriander, 1 tbsp oil, a squeeze of lime and a grinding of black pepper. Marinate for 30 mins (up to 24 hrs). Tip into a roasting tin, scatter the onion around, drizzle with a little more oil, then roast for 1 hr until the chicken is dark golden and crisping on the top. After 30 mins, tuck the garlic in around the chicken.STEP 2Lift the chicken and onions out of the tin and onto a big plate. Turn the oven to low and keep the chicken warm, uncovered. Place the tin on the hob, spoon off excess fat, then add most of the chilli and fry for 2 mins until fragrant. Stir in the sugar, tomato purée and remaining chipotle paste, then add the stock and bubble down for about 5 mins until you have a sticky sauce. Season with salt and pepper and another squeeze of lime juice. (The chicken will keep in a low oven, uncovered, for up to half an hour. You can also decant the sauce into a saucepan and reheat it.) To serve, spoon the sauce and garlic over and around the chicken and scatter with the remaining chilli. Serve with the rice salad, salsa and wedges (see below).STEP 3For the rice salad, rinse the rice in a sieve until the water runs clear, then boil for 15 mins until just tender. Drain in a sieve, rinse under cold water to cool quickly, then drain well and tip into a big serving bowl. Tip in the beans, sweetcorn and spring onions. Whisk together the honey, cumin, vinegar and oil to make the dressing, season, then toss through the salad. If making ahead, keep chilled. Just before serving, chop the coriander and fold it in.
