Introduction:
Few dishes bring as much warmth to the table as a classic roasted chicken. Our Grandma’s Roasted Chicken recipe is all about simplicity and flavor, combining tender chicken with perfectly roasted vegetables and a savory stuffing that soaks up all the delicious juices. This recipe will guide you step-by-step to recreate this homestyle favorite with minimal fuss. Let’s get cooking!
Ingredients:
- 1 whole chicken
- 4 potatoes, peeled and halved lengthwise
- Carrots or other (as desired)
- 1 onion (¾ thinly sliced, ¼ coarsely chopped for stuffing)
- 1 head of garlic (whole with a few cloves separated and peeled)
- Bread (for stuffing, roughly torn)
- Butter
- Olive oil
- Salt and pepper
- Fresh or dried thyme and rosemary
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Vegetables:
Start by peeling 4 potatoes and some carrots. Halve the potatoes lengthwise and set aside. Slice ¾ of the onion thinly and chop the remaining ¼ into larger pieces for the stuffing. Take a whole head of garlic, separating 5 or 6 cloves (leave the skins on for roasting) and keep a few extra peeled for the stuffing.
2. Make the Stuffing:
Take a hearty piece of bread and tear it into small chunks. For a simple, flavorful stuffing, fill the chicken cavity with alternating layers of bread, the coarse onion pieces, a few garlic cloves (peeled), and butter. This combination adds flavor and keeps the chicken moist while the bread absorbs all the delicious juices.
3. Assemble the Dish:
Grease the base of a large, oven-safe dish with a bit of oil and place the chicken in the center. Arrange the potatoes, carrots, sliced onion, and garlic cloves around the chicken. Feel free to add other vegetables like green beans if you like.
4. Season and Add Fat:
Top the chicken with small pats of butter and drizzle olive oil over both the chicken and vegetables. Season generously with salt, pepper, and your choice of herbs like rosemary and thyme.
5. Roasting the Chicken:
Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F). Roast the chicken for 15-20 minutes until it starts to brown and the skin crisps. Then, reduce the temperature to 180°C (356°F) and continue roasting for another 40-50 minutes (internal temp. 73°C/165°F), basting with pan juices periodically to keep everything moist and flavorful.
6. Serve and Enjoy:
When the chicken is golden and fully cooked, remove it from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes. Serve with the roasted vegetables and stuffing on the side, and enjoy the perfect homestyle meal!
Conclusion:
With the Grandma’s Roasted Chicken, you’ll bring a taste of tradition to your kitchen. This recipe is simple yet full of flavors that remind us of family dinners. Let us know how it turned out in the comments, and don’t forget to share your photos with us!