I had a nice big chicken ready to roast for dinner. I gave Moe a choice between a traditional chicken dinner with all the sides or Fred’s Italian chicken. Both are favourites.

His choice was Fred’s.

When we lived in Sault Ste. Marie, we use to go to a restaurant called the New Marconi and the owner was a man named Fred. Fred liked to sing and he entertained his customers by singing old classics from Dean Martin, Sinatra, etc…

On the menu was an Italian chicken dish served with pasta that we both really enjoyed. After we moved away from the Sault, I recreated this dish and have served it often over the 28 years we have been gone from there.

Served tonight with Spaghetti Aglio e Olio.

Fred’s Italian Chicken
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Edited November 10th, 2006

This recipe is my version of the Italian Chicken we ordered in a Italian restaurant in Sault Ste. Marie. It can be made with small roasting chickens, chicken pieces or Cornish game hens.

It is a favourite and always brings back fond memories of the New Marconi Ristorante Italiano in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. The owner “Fred” use to serenade his customers or should I say his captive audience

2 Cornish Game Hens, or whole chicken or chicken pieces (I spatchcock whole birds)
3 or 4 sprigs of rosemary
2 heads of garlic, peeled and cracked
salt, pepper
juice from one or two lemons
lemon zest (optional)
hot red pepper flakes
1/2 cup olive oil

Kalamata olives (optional)
chicken broth

If using roasting chickens or game hens, split the birds down the back and remove the back bone.

Place the chicken halves or pieces in the roasting pan. Toss in the garlic cloves and the sprigs of rosemary. Season with salt, pepper and red pepper flakes. Squeeze the lemons over the chicken and drizzle with the olive oil.

You can prepare the chicken up to this point and let rest in the fridge for an hour or two.

Roast in a 450°F

Check after about 20 minutes and add some chicken broth to the pan. This will stop the garlic from getting burnt. (If you are using the olives add them now) Add more if needed. When chicken is done, remove from pan and add a little more chicken broth, stir and serve sauce over
the chicken.

My favourite side with this chicken is Spaghetti Aglio E Olio