Spicy Roast Chicken

                   Prep / Total : 2 hours  45 minutes
CHICKEN:
1/4 ................cup Dijon mustard
1/2 ................tablespoon water
1/2 ................tablespoon ancho chile powder
5 ...................garlic cloves , minced
3 ...................tablespoons finely chopped sage
3 ...................tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
                  salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 ....................4 pound chicken
2 .....................tablespoons pickled jalapeno peppers , sliced , plus 1/4 cup of the brine strained into a spray bottle
2 .....................tablespoons chopped parsley
1 .....................tablespoon fresh lemon juice
2 .....................tablespoons unsalted butter
TOPPING:
2 ....................garlic cloves , smashed
2 ....................tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 ....................cup fresh bread crumbs
                   Finely grated zest of 1 lemon
1/4 .................tablespoon chopped parsley
1/4 .................teaspoon cayenne pepper
                           Salt

1 .          Preheat the oven to 350*F. In a blender , puree the Dijon mustard , water , chili powser , half of the garlic , 1 tablespoon of the sage , 1/2 teaspoon of the oil and 1/2 teaspoon each of the salt and pepper . Place the chicken breast side up in an oven-proof skillet ; coat with the mixture .
2 .          Bake the chicken for 1 hour and 20 minutes or until cooked through . Spray the chicken with the jalapeno brine ; bake for 5 more minutes . Let rest for 10 minutes .
3 .         In a skillet , cook the jalapenos , parsley , lemon juice , the remaining garlic and the remaining sage in the butter and remaining oil over moderate heat until fragrant .
4 .        In a skillet , brown the garlic in the oil over moderate heat ; discard the garlic . Add the bread crumbs , zest , parsley and cayenne pepper and stir until the crumbs are crisp . Season with salt .
5 .         Top the chicken with the jalapeno butter , sprinkle with the crumbs and serve.
TIP :
Serve with a fruity , full-bodied Chardonnay , such as Ferrari-Carano from Nappa Valley .
Heart Healthy