Herb and Garlic Roasted Chicken with Root Vegetables

Herb-Garlic Roasted Chicken with Root Vegetables

When it comes to selecting a dish for all things delicious, hearty, comforting and crowd-pleasing, roasted chicken tops the list.  I count it as one of my favorite go-to bites when I’m looking for an unforgettable dish that comes together with ease--and often when I’m hosting dinner guests.

On a recent occasion, I decided to infuse some extra “love” into my recipe by flavoring the chicken with my Herb-Garlic butter.  Starting with my classic preparation of seasoning the cavity and stuffing it with herbs, citrus and aromatics, I then rubbed my compound butter on the skin (and tucked a little away underneath the skin to help the breast meat remain extra moist) before roasting the chicken over a bed of hearty root vegetables.  

And you can probably guess the results.  Within an hour and a half, a beautifully golden, crispy and succulent chicken, with tender root vegetables, emerged from the oven ready to be devoured. 

The next time you’re ready to wow your guests—and your palate—this easy and delicious recipe should top your list as the ultimate crowd pleaser.  

Happy Eating!

Herb and Garlic Roasted Chicken with Root Vegetables

Ingredients:
1 Whole Chicken (3 to 4 lbs.)
Herb–Garlic compound butter
1 large onion, quartered

1 lemon, quartered
1 head of garlic, halved with skin on
Fresh thyme
Fresh rosemary

Salt

Freshly ground black pepper

Root vegetables (parsnips, potatoes, and carrots), peeled and chopped

Method:
Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.

Place chicken in a roasting pan and sprinkle the cavity with salt and pepper.  Stuff the cavity with onion, lemon, garlic, thyme and rosemary.  Rub the chicken with the herb-garlic butter and gently lift the skin over the breast and tuck butter underneath.  (Be careful not to tear the skin.)  Season the chicken all over with salt and pepper.  Tuck the wings under and tie the legs together.

Spread the root vegetables in the roasting pan to form a bed around the chicken.  Place chicken in the preheated oven and roast for about an hour and fifteen minutes or until the juices run clear.  Remove the chicken from the oven, tent with foil and allow to rest for 10-20 minutes.  Carve and serve with the vegetables.  Enjoy!