
In France, rillettes have regional variances with a wide range of ingredients and textures. Some have a fine texture, while others are coarser, and somewhat rustic. Our preference is a mixture of both.
1.6 kg whole chicken
4 tbsp olive oil
1 onion, large, finely diced
6 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1 stalk celery, finely diced
2 carrots, finely diced
250 ml white wine
1.5 l chicken stock
80 g flat-leaf parsley, (italian parsley), roughly chopped
4 tarragon sprigs, divided
4 bay leaves
8 thyme sprig, divided
100 g duck fat
30 g chives, finely chopped
salt and pepper, to season
toasted bread crisps, to serve
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Preheat the oven to 200°C (390°F).
Take the out of the fridge and drizzle with half the and season with salt and pepper. Place the prepared chicken in a roasting tray and cook for 50 minutes. Set aside to cool.
Meanwhile, prepare the base liquid. Heat a large heavy-based saucepan over a medium heat. Add the remaining , , , and and sauté for 5 minutes, or until soft and aromatic. Season lightly with salt. Add the to the pan and continue to cook until the liquid is reduced by half.
Add the , , half the , the , and 2 sprigs of the .
Increase heat to medium-high and cook until the liquid has reduced by three-quarters (or until you have approximately 500 ml/17 fl oz/2 cups of liquid remaining). Strain the liquid into another saucepan and add the , stirring until it is dissolved. Set aside to cool.
While the liquid is cooling, remove the skin from the , trying to keep it in the largest pieces possible. Pull the meat off the carcass, shred and place in a large bowl.
Place the skin in one layer on a baking tray and roast for 10 minutes at 200°C (390°F), or until it is dry and crispy. Take care not to burn or overcook the skin. Set aside to drain on paper towel.
Season the meat with salt and pepper and finely chop the and remaining and . Add the herbs to the meat and mix to combine. Add stock mixture and mix until combined.
Place the roasted chicken skin in a mortar and pestle and grind until it forms a rough crumb. Fold it through the mixture and season to taste.
Line a loaf tin or medium-sized ramekin with baking paper, leaving enough to overhang the edges. Place the mixture in the tin and fold overhanging edges in to cover. Refrigerate for at least 6 hours or overnight until set.
To remove the rillettes from the mould, pull the sides of the baking paper and turn the rillettes out onto a cutting board.
Serve with .
The rillettes are best served at room temperature.
It can be enjoyed immediately (otherwise, place in a sealed container and refrigerate for up to 1 week).