Waterzooi Of Chicken

1. 1

   1. Pull away and discard any excess fat from the cavity of the chicken. Rinse the bird inside and out. Season with salt and pepper and place 1 bay leaf, 2 sprigs parsley, and 1 sprig thyme in the cavity.

2. 2

   2. Melt the butter in a heavy Dutch oven over medium heat. Add onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until translucent but not browned, about 5 minutes. Place the bird breast side up in the Dutch oven and add enough broth and/or water to partially cover by about two-thirds. Cover and simmer gently over low heat for 30 minutes.

3. 3

   3. Skim the surface of the broth to remove any foam and fat. Add the carrots, leeks, and celery to the pot. Tie the remaining parsley, thyme, and bay leaf together with kitchen string to make a bouquet garni and add it to the broth. Cover and regulate the heat to maintain the liquid at a slow simmer for another 30 minutes.

4. 4

   4. Add the cubed potatoes to the simmering chicken broth and cook until the potatoes are done and the chicken is very tender, 20 to 30 minutes.

5. 5

   5. Remove the chicken from the broth and transfer to a large bowl. Discard the bouquet garni. Allow the chicken to rest until it is cool enough to handle. Strip off the skin and use your fingers to remove the meat from the bones. Discard the skin and bones. Shred the meat into bite-size pieces. Refrigerate the broth with vegetables and the chicken separately overnight.

6. 6

   6. Beat the cream and egg yolks together in a mixing bowl. Place the Dutch oven on medium to reheat the broth. Stir a ladleful of hot broth into the egg mixture to temper it, then gradually stir this mixture into the broth and vegetables. Cook, stirring constantly over low heat until the sauce thickens. Do not allow to boil or the sauce will curdle. Return the chicken pieces to the broth. Taste for seasoining and add salt and pepper if necessary. Garnish with plenty of fresh chopped parsley and serve in heated bowls.

* Per serving · 4 servings · Values may vary.