Classic Roast Chicken

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I always love the first movie in a series.  The movie that introduces us to the characters and their stories.  The movie that sets the stage for everything else that is to come. It’s fresh and new and exciting.  To see the looks on the kid’s faces when the evening’s meal magically appears on the tables in the first Harry Potter movie, still makes me smile.  The innocence, the wonder, the pure joy of something so unexpected…..

I have no magical powers, so I had to create the meal for my Harry Potter party and place it on the table.  I also do not have any house elves to help me prepare ridiculous amounts of food, so this is a scaled down version…that is still incredibly delicious.

There were so many choices in the books; Roast Beef, Turkey, Ham, Chicken, and just about every side that you could think of!  I chose to go with a Classic Roast Chicken and Crispy Roast Potatoes…..

That to me is about as British a meal as you can get, especially since Fish & Chips were not mentioned anywhere in the books or movies. 😉

Yes, those are two different chickens, lol.  The image with the potatoes was prepared in a slow cooker here, and then placed in the oven to make it crispy.  The images from the actual party were just too dark for my liking!  This also kind of complicates the step-by-step photos!!  Let’s give this a go…

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Place onion wedges, garlic, bay leaves, and lemon halves in the chicken cavity {just ignore the rosemary}…..

Place chicken in a roasting pan and rub with butter.   Sprinkle with parsley, tarragon, salt and pepper {no you are not blind, I used olive oil not butter on the Greek Roasted Chicken}…..

Place in oven and bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes to 1 hour and 30 minutes, or until juices run clear when thickest part of the thigh is pierced with a skewer, or until thermometer reaches 175 degrees…..

Serve with Crispy Roast Potatoes or Mashed Potatoes and Gravy {substitute chicken stock}.  The British also serve this chicken with stuffing instead of potatoes, but I prefer roast potatoes!!

Here are some of the other posts from my Harry Potter party:

Gourmet Caramel Apples

Cauldron Cakes {Homemade Ding Dongs}

Gillyweed {Spinach} Dip

Troll Boogers

Butter Beer Cocktail

Polyjuice Potion Cocktail

Puff Pastry Sausage Rolls

You’re not bored with my party yet are you?  I promise, it’s almost over. 😉

Enjoy!!

Classic Roast Chicken

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Serves	5
Prep time	15 minutes
Cook time	1 hour, 15 minutes
Total time	1 hour, 30 minutes
Meal type	Main Course

his Classic Roast Chicken is so simple to prepare, and is perfect for Sunday dinner or any other night of the week.

Ingredients

• 1 whole, free-range chicken (3 1/2 to 4 pounds)
• 2 Large cloves fresh garlic
• 1 Large yellow onion (cut into wedges)
• 1 lemon (cut in half)
• 4 Tablespoons unsalted butter (softened)
• 1 Tablespoon chopped, fresh Italian parsley
• 1 Tablespoon chopped, fresh tarragon
• 2 bay leaves
• sea salt & ground black pepper

Directions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Place the onion wedges, lemon halves, bay leaves, and garlic in the chicken cavity.

Rub the softened butter all over the chicken {with your hands} and sprinkle with parsley, tarragon, salt and pepper.

Place in a roasting pan {I place mine on additional sliced onions and garlic to raise up off the bottom} and roast for approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes to 1 hour and 30 minutes, or until juices run clear when the thickest part of the thigh is pierced with a skewer, or thermometer reads 175 degrees.

Remove from oven and set aside to rest fro 10 minutes before serving.

Serve with Crispy Roast Potatoes and gravy.

This recipe will be partying at these link parties!