Classic Roast Chicken

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I always love the first movie in a series. It introduces us to the characters and their stories. It also 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. This Classic Roast Chicken makes me smile as well!

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.

What you will need to make this recipe

• whole chicken
• butter or ghee
• garlic cloves
• onion
• lemon
• bay leaves
• fresh thyme
• parsley
• sea salt
• black pepper

How to make Classic Roast Chicken in the oven

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

Mix the softened butter with the thyme, parsley, salt and pepper. Rub all over the chicken.

Place in oven and bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes to 1 hour and 30 minutes, (approximately 15 minutes per pound) or until juices run clear when thickest part of the thigh is pierced with a skewer, or until thermometer reaches 165 degrees.

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

What is the difference between roasting and baking a chicken?

Roasting requires a higher temperature, 400 degrees or higher to create that crispy, brown skin we all love. Baking requires lower tempertures, up to 375 degrees.

This simple Roast Chicken is also the perfect size for a small Thanksgiving Dinner!

Recipes in a Small Thanksgiving Dinner:

• Sausage Apple and Cranberry Stuffing
• Sweet Yam Casserole
• Cranberry Sauce with Pineapple
• Green Beans with Caramelized Onions and Almonds
• Mini Dutch Apple Pies
• Mashed Potatoes and Gravy are listed above the image.

Additional recipes 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

Enjoy!!

Classic Roast Chicken

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

5 from 1 vote

Print

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: British

Keyword: oven roasted chicken, roast chicken

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes

Servings: 4 Servings

Calories: 132kcal

Author: Lisa Johnson

Ingredients

• 1 whole chicken (3 1/2 to 4 pounds)
• 2 large cloves garlic
• 1 large yellow onion cut into wedges
• 1 lemon cut in half
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter softened
• 1 tablespoon chopped Italian parsley
• 1 tablespoon chopped, fresh thyme
• 2 bay leaves
• sea salt & ground black pepper

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
• Place the onion wedges, lemon halves, bay leaves, and garlic in the chicken cavity.
• Mix the softened butter with parsley, thyme, salt and pepper, and rub all over the chicken.
• 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 (approximately 15 minutes per pound) , or until juices run clear when the thickest part of the thigh is pierced with a skewer, or thermometer reads 165 degrees.
• Remove from oven and set aside to rest fro 10 minutes before serving.
• Serve with Crispy Roast Potatoes and gravy.

Nutrition

Calories: 132kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 30mg | Sodium: 6mg | Potassium: 145mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 508IU | Vitamin C: 20mg | Calcium: 42mg | Iron: 1mg