A Bird in the Hand: Chicken Recipes for Every Day and Every Mood

A Bird in the Hand presents over 120 chicken recipes organized by season and occasion. The cookbook focuses on accessible home cooking while incorporating influences from global cuisines. Diana Henry shares preparation techniques and ingredient variations alongside the recipes, with guidance on sourcing and selecting chicken. The collection includes everyday meals, special occasion dishes, and options for using different cuts of meat. Each recipe features context about its origins and Henry's personal connection to the dish. The photography captures finished plates and cooking processes in natural light. The book demonstrates how a common ingredient can anchor creative cooking across cultures and traditions. Through carefully curated recipes, it elevates chicken from basic protein to the centerpiece of memorable meals.

Readers call this a cookbook that celebrates chicken without being basic. Home cooks appreciate Henry's clear instructions and creative flavor combinations that transform familiar ingredients. Likes: - Recipes work reliably and produce consistent results - Interesting variations on classic dishes - Engaging recipe headnotes with personal stories - Photos make dishes look achievable rather than overly styled Dislikes: - Some ingredients can be hard to find outside major cities - A few readers found portions too large - Several mention the book's binding falls apart with regular use Ratings: Goodreads: 4.26/5 (190 ratings) Amazon UK: 4.7/5 (376 reviews) Amazon US: 4.6/5 (127 reviews) Notable review quotes: "These aren't just chicken recipes - they're complete meals with well-thought-out sides" - Goodreads reviewer "Made 12 recipes so far, all winners. No duds." - Amazon reviewer "Worth buying for the roast chicken variations alone" - Food52 community review

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🍗 Diana Henry wrote this book as a tribute to her lifelong love of chicken, which began when she first cooked a chicken dish at age 16 using a recipe from Elizabeth David's French Provincial Cooking. 📚 The book contains over 120 recipes and was published in 2015, though many of the recipes were developed over Henry's 20+ years as a food writer. 🌍 The recipes draw inspiration from global cuisines, including Vietnamese, Spanish, Italian, and Middle Eastern flavors, reflecting Henry's extensive travels and culinary research. 🏆 Diana Henry has won numerous awards including the James Beard Award, and was named Cookery Writer of the Year by Fortnum & Mason in 2013. 🔄 The book is organized by cooking method (roasted, grilled, sautéed, etc.) rather than by season or occasion, making it easy for readers to choose recipes based on their available time and equipment.