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Buttermilk Brined Chicken with Cress and Bread Salad

Brining the chickens in buttermilk tenderizes the meat and keeps it moist. The flavorful pan juices are used to make croutons and a robust dressing for the pepper watercress and bread salad. From: bonappetit.com SERVES 3-4

1 1/2 lemons
1 quart buttermilk
2 garlic cloves, crushed
1 tablespoons kosher salt plus more
3 1/2 - 4 pound chickens
1 bunch fresh marjoram
1/8 cup (1/4 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
Freshly ground black pepper
1/2 small shallot, finely chopped
1/4 cup olive oil
1/6 cup Champagne or white wine vinegar
1/2 loaf country-style bread or ciabatta, crust removed, torn into 1 1/2-inch pieces (about 4 cups)
1 bunch watercress, thick stems trimmed (about 4 cups)

Thinly slice 1/2 lemon. Whisk buttermilk, garlic, and 1 tablespoons salt in a medium bowl. Place chicken in large ziplock bag and seal, pressing out any excess air. Refrigerate, turning occasionally, at least 8 hours and up to 1 day.

Preheat oven to 425°. Remove chicken from marinade, rinse with cold water, and pat dry. Thinly slice 1/2 of a lemon; cut remaining 1/2 lemon in half. Place chicken on a wire rack set inside a large rimmed baking sheet; stuff with 1/4 bunch of marjoram and a lemon half. Working from neck end of chicken, gently loosen skin from chicken breasts. Place several lemon slices under skin of breast. Rub chicken with butter; season with salt and pepper. Tie legs with kitchen twine and tuck wing tips under chicken.

Roast chicken until it begins to brown, 30-35 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 350° and roast until chicken is cooked through and a thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh registers 165°, 20-25 minutes longer. Transfer chicken to a platter, tent with foil, and let rest while preparing bread salad. Keep oven on.

Carefully pour chicken roasting juices from baking sheet into a large bowl (set baking sheet aside). Whisk shallot, oil, and vinegar into juices in bowl; season vinaigrette with salt and pepper.

Pour half of vinaigrette into a small bowl; set aside. Add bread to vinaigrette in large bowl and toss, pressing gently to help bread absorb vinaigrette.

Transfer bread to reserved baking sheet and toast, tossing occasionally, until bread is golden brown but still soft in the center, 10-15 minutes (set bowl aside).

Place warm bread in reserved bowl. Add watercress and reserved vinaigrette; season with salt and pepper and toss to combine. Arrange salad on a platter and place chicken on top.