Spring Chicken with Fava Shoot Pesto

The proverbial spring chicken is young and tender. Follow the recipe here to roast it tenderly and crisp up its skin in the final moments. Along the way, fresh pesto and roasted radishes make their way into the process, bringing in their variously herbaceous, garlicky, and bittersweet flavors. The sum is much greater than the parts; you’ll delight with each bite of fava shoot pesto-covered meat and veg. Serve with a side of Cheesy Grits with Springtime Mushrooms and sips of your favorite dry, sparkling wine.

What Does Fava Shoot Pesto Taste Like?

Fava shoot pesto is a bright, herbaceous pesto that has a subtle sweetness and a nutty undertone. The fava bean shoots themselves contribute the fresh, green or earthy taste that’s reminiscent of peas or young spinach. The addition of pecans lends a richer, more mellow nuttiness compared to the sharper bite of pine nuts in classic pesto. The lemon zest finishes things off with a citrus lift, cutting through the richness of the butter, olive oil, and garlic. Basically, fava shoot pesto is going to be less pungent and more delicate than traditional basil pesto.

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Spring Chicken with Fava Shoot Pesto

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• Author: Anna Franklin

Print Recipe

Description

This recipe screams springtime with fresh ingredients from chicken to pesto.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1/2 chicken
• 3 tbsp softened butter
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 cups whole radishes

For the pesto: 

• 1/2 stick butter, softened
• 1/2 cup fava shoots (or basil) (Save extra for garnish)
• 1/4 cup pecans
• 1 tsp salt
• Zest of one lemon
• 1 small clove of garlic
• 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

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Instructions

1. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels and rub with softened butter. Season with salt and pepper and roast in the oven at 350 degrees until the inside of the chicken is 165 degrees.
2. Set oven to broil and broil for 5 minutes until the skin gets extra crispy.
3. While the chicken is roasting, combine all the pesto ingredients in a food processor and blend until you get a smooth, thick pesto. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
4. Halfway through roasting, add the 2 cups of radishes to the roasting pan.
5. Once chicken is fully cooked, transfer the chicken and radishes to a serving platter and serve with pesto. Garnish with fresh fava or basil shoots.

Recipe and Styling Anna Franklin
Photography by Dave Bryce

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