Himalayan Salt and Herb Crusted Chicken

Ingredients:

• 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken breasts
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, chopped
• 1 tablespoon fresh thyme, chopped
• 1 tablespoon fresh sage, chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 2 cups coarse Himalayan pink salt
• Lemon wedges, for serving

Instructions:

1. Preheat Oven:

   • Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

2. Prepare the Herb Mixture:

   • In a small bowl, combine the olive oil, chopped rosemary, thyme, sage, minced garlic, and black pepper. Mix well to create an herb paste.

3. Prepare the Chicken:

   • Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels.
   • Gently lift the skin of each chicken breast and rub the herb mixture directly onto the meat underneath the skin. This will help infuse the chicken with flavor.
   • Rub any remaining herb mixture over the skin of the chicken breasts.

4. Form the Salt Crust:

   • On a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, spread about 1/2 cup of the coarse Himalayan pink salt into a rectangle slightly larger than the size of the chicken breasts.
   • Place the chicken breasts on top of the salt layer, skin side up.
   • Use the remaining salt to completely cover the tops and sides of the chicken breasts, pressing firmly to ensure the crust adheres.

5. Bake the Chicken:

   • Transfer the baking sheet to the preheated oven and bake for 45-55 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F (75°C). The salt crust will harden during baking.

6. Remove the Salt Crust:

   • After baking, remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for 10 minutes.
   • Carefully crack open the salt crust with a spoon or knife and remove it from the chicken. Brush off any excess salt from the chicken skin with a pastry brush or gently wipe with a paper towel.

7. Serve:

   • Transfer the chicken breasts to a serving platter. Serve hot, with lemon wedges on the side for squeezing over the chicken.

Tips:

• Ensure the chicken breasts are of even thickness for consistent cooking.
• Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the chicken for perfect doneness.
• You can customize the herbs and spices in the herb mixture to suit your taste.

Enjoy your flavorful and juicy Himalayan Salt and Herb Crusted Chicken!