mediterranean chicken with mushrooms & zucchini

11/2 cups peeled red pearl onions (6 to 7 oz.),    halved if large (see Test Kitchen, p. 136,  for more information) 

 

8  oz. cremini (baby bella) mushrooms,  stems trimmed

2  oz. pancetta, cut into 1/2-inch dice  (about 1/3 cup) 

1   4-lb. chicken, cut into 8 serving pieces, trimmed of extra skin and fat, patted dry 

2   small zucchini (4 to 5 oz. each),  trimmed, cut in half lengthwise and  then crosswise into 1/2-inch-thick half-  rounds 

Position a rack in the center of the oven and heat the oven to 400°F.

In a small bowl, mix 1 Tbs. of the balsamic vinegar, 1 Tbs. of the rosemary, the brown sugar, ¾ tsp. salt, and 1/4 tsp. pepper; stir to dissolve the sugar and salt. Add the olive oil and mix well. 

Scatter the pearl onions  over the bottom of a metal, glass, or ceramic baking dish that measures about 10x15x2 inches. Add the mushrooms, cap side up. Stir the vinegar mixture to mix well; spoon 1 Tbs. into a second small bowl and reserve. use about half of the remaining mixture to brush the mushroom caps. Scatter the pancetta over the mushrooms and onions. Arrange the chicken pieces, skin side up, on top of all, and brush with the remaining vinegar mixture. Roast for 30 minutes.

Meanwhile, toss the zucchini  with the reserved 1 Tbs. of the vinegar mixture. In a measuring cup, combine the wine with the remaining 2 Tbs. balsamic vinegar, 1 tsp. rosemary, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Remove the roasting pan from the oven and reduce the temperature to 375°F. Pour the 

wine mixture around the chicken and then scatter the zucchini around the chicken, keeping it toward the edges of the pan as much as possible. Return the pan to the oven and continue to roast until the vegetables are tender and an instant-read thermometer registers 165°F in several pieces of chicken, 20 to 30 minutes. 

Transfer the chicken to a warmed platter. With a slotted spoon, arrange the vegetables and pancetta around the chicken. Sprinkle the vegetables with a little salt

Tilt the roasting pan so that the juices gather in one corner. With a large, shallow spoon, skim as much fat as possible from  the pan sauce. Spoon a small amount of sauce over the chicken and vegetables.  Put the remaining sauce in a pitcher to  pass at the table.