Poulet au pot (Chicken in a Pot)

Step 1

Make a bouquet garni by studding the onion with the cloves. Wrap them in a piece of cheesecloth or muslin along with the thyme and bay leaves, and tie them in securely with twine.

Step 2

Heat the olive oil and butter in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. When hot, place the chicken in it, breast side down and cook without moving it until the breast is golden brown, then turn the chicken to brown the chicken on the two thigh & leg sides, which'll take about 15 minutes. (You may need to prop the chicken against the side of the pot to hold it in place while you brown the sides.) If you have a little extra time, you can also brown the bottom.

Step 3

Once browned, remove the chicken from the pot, place it on a plate, and add the onions to the pot. Cook, stirring occasionally, until browned, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic, carrots, turnip, and salt, along with some freshly ground pepper, and cook for another minute or two, stirring frequently. Put the chicken in the pot along with the bouquet garni. Place the potatoes around the chicken, tuck the parsley sprigs in next to the chicken and add the water and stock so it covers about three-quarters of the chicken. If you need more liquid, add additional water or stock.

Step 4

Cover and bring the pot to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to a steady, but gentle simmer, with the lid partially opened. Cook for about 1 hour, until the chicken is tender and cooked through, as are the vegetables. Taste for salt and add more if desired.