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1
In a small bowl, combine the honey, vinegar, olive oil, minced garlic, ginger, peppercorns, tarragon and thyme.
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2
Rub the mixture over the chickens and put them in a shallow glass dish or stainless-steel pan.
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3
Cover and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 3 hours or overnight.
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4
About 30 minutes before cooking, remove the chickens from the refrigerator.
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5
Heat the oven to 325.
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6
Remove the chickens from the marinade, but let any marinade that clings to the birds remain.
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7
Reserve the rest of the marinade in the refrigerator.
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8
Tie the legs of each chicken together.
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9
Set the chickens in a large roasting pan and sprinkle with 1 teaspoon of the salt.
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10
Roast the chickens for 45 minutes.
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11
Turn the pan and continue roasting until done, about 35 minutes longer.
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12
Let cool and then remove the thighs and drumsticks and the breasts and wings from the carcasses.
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13
Put them on a baking sheet and refrigerate if not serving immediately.
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14
Reserve the carcasses.
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15
In a large pot, heat the cooking oil over moderate heat.
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16
Add the onion, carrot, celery and crushed garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, until golden brown, about 10 minutes.
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17
Add the chicken carcasses, the stock, wine, water and 1/2 teaspoon of the salt.
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18
Add more water if needed to cover the chicken bones.
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19
Bring to a boil and skim the foam that rises to the surface.
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20
Reduce the heat and simmer for 45 minutes.
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21
Add the reserved marinade and simmer for 20 minutes.
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22
Strain the sauce into a medium saucepan.
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23
Continue to simmer the sauce until it is just thick enough to coat a spoon, about 20 minutes longer.
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24
You should have about 11/4 cups sauce.
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25
Whisk in the butter and 1/4 teaspoon of the ground pepper.
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26
When ready to serve, heat the broiler.
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27
Reheat the sauce if necessary.
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28
Sprinkle both sides of the chicken pieces with the remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon ground pepper.
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29
Broil, skin-side up, until the chicken is just heated through and the skin is crisp, about 3 minutes.
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30
Put a leg and breast on each plate and pour the sauce around the chicken.
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31
Scatter the thyme sprigs, if using, over all.