I recently made a meat exchange – some homegrown beef for some homegrown chicken and Italian sausage. The beautiful bird was from Bridgewater Farms (a locally owned organic farm). I don’t roast chicken as often as I should – but I am continually reminded that it is just pretty simple – and it’s total comfort food. I love that there are several meals that can come from cooking an entire chicken: first the roast for dinner, then save rest for soups, casseroles, enchiladas – anything that requires a cup or two of chicken.
Typically, I will de-bone the chicken, then measure out about 2 cups to store in sandwich baggies. Throw the bagged chicken in the freezer and it’s ready to go for the next chicken dinner. 🙂 That makes life easier, doesn’t it?
This roast has a fabulous aroma of lemon, thyme, and garlic to infuse the chicken and vegetables while cooking. It is simple and delicious. Serve with rolls – make the gravy if you desire.
- 1 5 - 6 pound roasting chicken
- kosher salt
- freshly ground black pepper
- 2 t. dried thyme or 2 T. fresh
- 1 lemon, halved
- 1 head garlic, cut in half crosswise
- 2 T. butter, melted
- 1 onion, thickly sliced
- 4 red potatoes, halved
- 4 carrots, cut diagonally (approx. 3 inches long)
- 1 c. chicken stock
- 2 T. all-purpose flour
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
- Remove the chicken giblets. Rinse the chicken inside and out. Pat the outside dry. Place the chicken in a roasting pan. Liberally salt and pepper the inside of the chicken. Stuff the cavity with thyme, both halves of the lemon, and all the garlic. Brush the outside of the chicken with the butter and sprinkle again with salt and pepper. Scatter the onion slices around the chicken. Then follow with potatoes and carrots.
- Roast the chicken for 1½- 2 hours or until the juices run clear when you cut between a leg and thigh. Remove to a platter and cover with foil while preparing the gravy.
- Remove all the fat from the bottom of the pan, reserving 2 tablespoons in a small cup. Add the chicken stock to the pan and cook on high heat for 5 minutes, until reduced, scraping the bottom of the pan. Combine the 2 tablespoons of fat with the flour and add to the pan. Boil for a few minutes to cook the flour. Strain the gravy into a small saucepan and season it to taste. Keep it warm over a very low flame while you carve the chicken.
- Slice the chicken onto a platter and serve immediately with the warm gravy.
Other one-pot dinners include:
Crockpot Cranberry Orange Turkey Breast
Hi, Molly,
When I started reading about the meat exchange, I thought I know who’s entering today’s recipes! Great idea…nice to have an older brother with whom to make the exchange!
Sunday is the perfect day to roast a chicken or beef…so I think I’ll remind your brother!
Thanks for sharing,
Love,
Mom
Yes, definitely! It was a fun exchange 🙂 xoxo