Sheet Pan Cacio e Pepe Chicken Legs and Potatoes
Not all fingerling potatoes are small and skinny, which is the variety that works best with this recipe. If you cannot find fingerling potatoes, don’t fret. Small round potatoes also work. If you prefer potatoes to be more bite-sized, halve the potatoes before roasting. I don’t do this simply to save time.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 to 2 pounds fingerling potatoes
- 3 pounds chicken drumsticks, about 8 to 10 drumsticks
- 4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 teaspoons up to 3 teaspoons, if desired ground pepper, divided
- 1/4 cup or more to taste Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup or more to taste Pecorino Romano cheese
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 450 degrees. Line a rimmed sheet pan with foil.
- Place the potatoes onto the sheet pan. Evenly distribute 1 tablespoon of olive oil onto the potatoes and toss to coat. Place a large cooling rack over the potatoes, sitting securely on the sheet pan. Place the chicken drumsticks on the cooling rack. Evenly distribute 1 tablespoon of oil onto the chicken and 1/2 teaspoon of kosher salt under the chicken skin. Place the sheet pan into the oven and roast for 40 minutes, turning the chicken after 25 minutes of roasting. After 40 minutes of cooking, turn on the broiler and brown chicken skin for 3 to 4 minutes or until browned to preference.
- While the chicken cooks, add the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil and pepper to a large mixing bowl. In a small bowl, combine the Parmesan and Pecorino and set aside.
- Remove the chicken and potatoes from the oven. Working in batches, add the chicken to the bowl of oil and pepper. While tossing the chicken sprinkle the cheese mixture on top of the chicken, continuing to toss the chicken to thoroughly coat. Once coated with cheese and pepper, place the chicken onto a serving platter. Continue this process with the potatoes until they have also been thoroughly coated with cheese and pepper.
- Place the potatoes onto the serving platter next to the chicken. Serve immediately.
