recipe 
yields
Serves 4
¼ pound room temperature unsalted butter
2 tablespoons French picnic salt (Leahy uses Beautiful Briny Sea)
1 tablespoon herbes de provence
1 (2¾- to 3½-pound) Springer Mountain Farms chicken
1 head cauliflower (Leahy prefers purple or romanesco), cored and chopped
2 Vidalia onions, peeled, quartered
8 small new potatoes, halved
2 large radishes, cut into large wedges
10 garlic cloves
6 sprigs fresh thyme
2 tablespoons olive oil
Kosher salt and pepper
Ingredients
steps
- Prepare a Big Green Egg grill for 325 degree heat. Using an electric mixer or stand mixer with whisk attachment, whip butter with salt and herbs de provence. Lightly spread about ¼ of mixture over entire chicken, including under the skin. Place chicken on grill grate over indirect heat. Smoke for about 1 to 1 ½ hours. (If using an oven, start at 450 degrees, roast for 10 minutes, then reduce to 325 degrees and cook until internal temperature reaches 165 degrees.)
- Meanwhile, toss cauliflower, onion, potatoes, radishes, garlic, and thyme with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Place vegetables in a dutch oven. Place dutch oven on top of smoker grates and carefully place chicken on top of the vegetables. Cook for another hour. Once vegetables are cooked and internal temperature of chicken reaches 165 degrees, spread remaining butter over chicken. Remove from heat and let rest for 30 minutes. Carve chicken and serve with vegetables.
Chef Nick Leahy
Nick’s Westside, Atlanta
Chef Nick Leahy is the partner and executive chef behind Nick’s Westside and Chicken Out, the new chef-inspired, delivery-only chicken concept in Atlanta. Having spent time in Provence, absorbing French cuisine and the influences of Italy, Spain, and North Africa, as well as Bermuda and London, Leahy is accustomed to eating with the seasons. Previously, he helmed the kitchens of Saltyard, AIX, and Tin Tin, now the site of his newest concepts opened in 2020. Leahy is a passionate supporter of organizations such as Georgia Grown, No Kid Hungry, the James Beard Foundation, and Giving Kitchen.
Springer Mountain Farms
Springer Mountain Farms is a family-owned chicken purveyor based in the North Georgia mountains. Springer pioneered all-natural chicken; no antibiotics, no hormones, and now non-GMO Project Verified. They are the first poultry company to be certified by American Humane. For more, visit smfchicken.com
Big Green Egg
Based in Atlanta, Big Green Egg, is the world’s number one manufacturer of kamado-style cookers. Known as the ultimate cooking machine, the EGG is a grill, smoker, and oven all-in-one. The versatility and renowned customer service have earned Big Green Egg a world-wide fan base. For more, visit biggreenegg.com
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- By Nick Leahy, Nick’s Westside, Atlanta
