Description
Succulent “roast chicken dinner with roasted garlic gravy” promises a comforting culinary journey through classic home cooking. Rich garlic-infused sauce and perfectly roasted chicken create a harmonious meal that delights senses and warms souls.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 chickens (4 to 5 pounds each), washed and dried
- 12 small potatoes, halved
- 4 small onions, peeled and quartered
- 1 (10-ounce) box frozen artichoke hearts, defrosted, drained, and halved
Herbs and Seasonings:
- 4 tablespoons fresh thyme, chopped
- 6 sprigs rosemary, leaves finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon fennel seeds or fennel pollen
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Aromatics and Fats:
- 2 heads garlic, plus 4 cloves, separated
- 1 stick softened butter
- 1 lemon, halved
- 2 limes, halved
- Extra-virgin olive oil
Instructions
- Warm the oven to a scorching 475°F (245°C), preparing for a robust roasting session.
- Meticulously season chickens internally and externally with aromatic thyme, salt, and pepper. Gently massage softened butter across the entire chicken surface.
- Trim garlic bulb ends to expose tender cloves. Toss potatoes and onions in a roasting pan with olive oil, seasoning with salt and pepper. Coat garlic bulbs with olive oil, press into fragrant rosemary, and nestle alongside vegetables.
- Position the first chicken in the pan, sprinkle with earthy fennel seeds, drench with fresh lemon juice. Stuff the cavity with the squeezed lemon and two crushed garlic cloves. Secure legs together using kitchen twine.
- Roast at high heat for 15 minutes, then reduce temperature to 375°F (190°C). Continue roasting 60-75 minutes, periodically basting to ensure succulent meat.
- Introduce artichokes to the pan during the final 20-30 minutes of cooking. Once completed, remove chicken and allow 10 minutes resting time before carving.
- Prepare the second chicken identically, substituting limes for lemons. Roast 15 minutes at 475°F, then 45 minutes at 375°F. Shred meat for future meal preparation.
Notes
- Choose a high-quality, organic whole chicken for the best flavor and texture in your roast.
- Softening butter beforehand allows for easier and more even seasoning of the chicken’s skin.
- Pat the chicken dry with paper towels before seasoning to ensure crispy, golden-brown skin during roasting.
- For a gluten-free version, replace any flour-based thickeners in the gravy with cornstarch or arrowroot powder.
- Use fresh herbs instead of dried to enhance the overall aromatic profile of the dish.
- Save the chicken carcass and vegetable scraps to make a homemade stock for future recipes.
- Adjust roasting time based on the specific weight of your chicken to prevent overcooking or undercooking.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 90-105 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 750 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg