Why 40 Cloves of Garlic Makes Chicken Incredible

Would you believe there are 40 cloves of garlic in this chicken? And every single one is necessary.

Today, we're making James Beard's famous 40 Clove Chicken - a classic dish that transforms simple ingredients into something incredible. Slow-cooked garlic becomes soft, sweet and buttery, while golden chicken, vermouth, fresh herbs and a rich, creamy sauce bring everything together.

But this isn't just a chicken recipe. It's packed with the foundational cooking techniques that make the difference between a good meal and a great one. From building flavour with roasted chicken bones to caramelising garlic, making an enriched stock and creating a silky sauce, we'll show you how to get more flavour out of every ingredient.

Served with crispy sourdough to soak up that rich garlic sauce, this is the kind of dish that belongs in the middle of the table.