The Messy Mustard Chicken

DEAR SOS: Lucques on Melrose Avenue has the best grilled chicken with fennel. Can you get it?

BREE CROCETTI

Los Angeles

DEAR BREE: Yes. Suzanne Goin, the chef at Lucques, says, “Beware! The chicken will make a mess on your grill but will taste delicious.” She’s right; it is delicious.

Mustard Grilled Chicken With Fennel, Roasted Shallots and Mustard Greens

Active Work Time: 45 minutes * Total Preparation Time: 1 1/2 hours plus 8 hours marinating

The restaurant goes a step further in preparing the chickens, which you can do if you’d like: After cutting the chickens in half down the backbone, clip the wings and completely bone them except for the drumsticks. You can also cut the chicken in quarters, if you prefer.

CHICKEN

1/2 cup Dijon mustard

2 tablespoons whole-grain mustard

2 tablespoons vermouth

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

1/2 tablespoon chopped fresh tarragon

1 beaten egg

2 (3-pound) chickens, cut in half down the backbone

Combine the Dijon and whole-grain mustards, the vermouth, oil, tarragon and egg. Marinate the chicken by slathering it with the mustard mixture in a shallow glass dish. Make sure to get the marinade under the skin. Cover and refrigerate overnight.

CROUTONS

1 cup cubed sourdough bread

1/2 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

Heat the oven to 375 degrees.

Toss the bread with the olive oil on a baking sheet and toast until golden brown, about 5 minutes. The croutons should be crisp but still tender inside.

ASSEMBLY

1/2 tablespoon butter

5 shallots, cut in half lengthwise, each half cut into 3 wedges

Dash fresh thyme leaves

Salt, pepper

1/2 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

1 fennel bulb, cut into 8 wedges

1 large shallot, sliced

1/4 cup vermouth

1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons chicken stock

1 bunch mustard greens, rinsed and stemmed

Heat the butter in a skillet over medium-low heat until it foams. Add the shallot wedges, thyme and salt and pepper and cook until the shallots are softened and a deep caramel brown, about 15 minutes. Set aside.

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat and add the fennel wedges. Season with salt and pepper and sear the fennel gently. As the fennel begins to brown, turn the wedges over and scatter in the sliced shallots. Cook until the shallots are tender, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the vermouth and cook until reduced by half, about 5 minutes. Add the chicken stock and simmer until the fennel is tender, 5 minutes. Add the reserved shallots and the mustard greens and stir until the greens have wilted, about 5 minutes. Add the croutons and toss to coat them with fennel and shallot juices.

Meanwhile, heat the grill to medium heat. Grill the chickens, skin side down, until the skin is brown and bubbly, about 10 minutes. Turn the chickens over and cook the other side until the chicken is cooked through and the juices run clear when the chicken is pierced with a fork, 15 to 20 minutes.

Divide the warm bread salad mixture among large dinner plates. Place the chicken on top. Serve immediately.

4 to 6 servings. Each of 6 servings: 658 calories; 495 mg sodium; 237 mg cholesterol; 38 grams fat; 10 grams saturated fat; 9 grams carbohydrates; 66 grams protein; 2.56 grams fiber.