Roast Chicken With Sorghum and Squash

A hearty and elegant dish combining tender roasted chicken legs with nutty sorghum grain and sweet butternut squash, finished with brown butter, fresh parsley, and jewel-like pomegranate seeds for a beautiful blend of flavors and textures.

4 servings
2 hr 34 min

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon Kosher salt
  • 1 cup sorghum
  • ½ large butternut squash
  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 4 pieces bone-in chicken legs
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ cup low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
  • 1 tablespoon sherry vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • ½ cup parsley
  • ½ cup pomegranate seeds

Cooking Instructions

  1. 1.

    Bring 5 cups water to a boil in a medium pot, season with salt, and add sorghum. Cover and cook until tender, about 1 hour. Drain well.

    60 min

  2. 2.

    Place racks in upper and lower thirds of oven and set a rimmed baking sheet on lower rack; preheat oven to 400°F. Arrange squash on another rimmed baking sheet; season with salt and dot with 2 Tbsp. butter. Place on upper rack in oven. Roast, turning occasionally to recoat with butter, until tender, 40-45 minutes.

    45 min

  3. 3.

    Meanwhile, rub chicken all over with oil; season with salt and pepper. Place skin side down on heated baking sheet on lower rack in oven. Roast until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of thigh registers 165°F, 30-35 minutes.

    35 min

  4. 4.

    Cook remaining 4 Tbsp. butter in a large skillet over medium heat until it foams, then browns (be careful not to let it burn), about 5 minutes. Reduce heat to medium-low; add sorghum, squash, broth, maple syrup, and vinegar to brown butter and toss to combine. Simmer until liquid is evaporated, about 4 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in lemon juice; season with salt, pepper, and more vinegar, if desired.

    9 min

  5. 5.

    Divide squash and sorghum among plates and top with chicken, parsley, and pomegranate seeds.

    5 min