Rigatoni with Chicken Thighs

Directions for: Sweet & Spicy Beer Can Chicken

Ingredients

Chicken

1 (1.8 kg) whole free-range chicken

1 (330 mL) can beer

2 Tbsp barbecue sauce

1 fresh red chilli, deseeded

1 bunch spring onions, trimmed

bunch fresh coriander

Rub

1 heaping Tbsp smoked paprika

1 heaping tsp cayenne pepper

1 heaping Tbsp fennel seeds

1 heaping Tbsp coriander seeds

1 tsp cumin seeds

1 - 2 dried red chillies

1 heaping tsp sea salt

1 heaping Tbsp freshly ground black pepper

1 heaping Tbsp soft dark brown sugar

Directions

Chicken

1. Preheat the oven to 200C/400F/gas 6. Remove the chicken from the fridge and leave aside to come up to room temperature.

2. Bash the rub ingredients to a fine powder in a large pestle and mortar, then drizzle the chicken with olive oil. Sprinkle over the rub and use your hands to massage all those lovely flavours into all the nooks and crannies.

3. Crack open the beer and pour out around two-thirds of it (or drink it!), then carefully lower the chicken cavity onto the can so it looks like its sitting up. Position the chicken so its upright on a roasting tray, then place in the oven and cook for around 1 hour 10 minutes, or until golden and cooked through. To check its done, insert a knife into the thickest part of the thigh the juices should run clear.

4. Brush the chicken all over with the barbecue sauce, then return to the oven for a further 10 minutes, or until dark and sticky. Meanwhile, finely slice the chilli and spring onions and pick the coriander leaves. Once ready, carefully remove and discard the can, then carve up the bird, scatter over the chilli, spring onions and coriander leaves, then serve.

Rub

1. Bash the rub ingredients to a fine powder in a large pestle and mortar. Refer to Chicken directions for usage.

See more: Chicken, Herbs, Hot and Spicy, Main, Roast