Click here for the original recipe. Costco sells a two pack of 5 lb. chickens for under $10, so instead of finding room in my freezer for the extra bird, I figured as long as I was at it, I'd roast them both so I’d have lots of leftovers to work with this week. Win win.
I roasted four heads of garlic and used two to make a butter rub with orange peel, lemon peel, mint, rosemary, thyme, sage, salt and pepper. I rubbed it all over the birds and stuffed the cavities with additional herbs and orange slices. Then I let them sit for a few hours (in the fridge) hoping the citrus herb rub would really permeate.
I bought Trader Joe’s version of Oktoberfest beer and poured two bottles in the bottom of the roasting pan. I love making roast chicken because within minutes of going in the oven your entire kitchen is filled with delicious smells. I followed the cooking instructions exactly and ended cranking the oven up to 500 and roasting the chickens for an extra 10 minutes at the end.
This is right before I flipped the birds, they're already looking so delicious!
We served the chicken with roasted garlic sweet potatoes, ricotta gnocchi (click here for the recipe) and salad with apples, dried cranberries, Parmigiano Reggiano walnuts and blue cheese.
The verdict? It was easy and super moist, but a little bit bland (but nothing a little salt and pepper at the table couldn’t fix). Next time I’ll put more seasoning in the rub and probably use raw garlic like the recipe suggested. But really, like Amber said, it’s no effort at all, yet you feel like a domestic goddess!
After dinner I added all the bones to a stockpot and covered them in water to make broth and let it sit overnight. Today I’ll simmer it for several hours and then strain it, cool and freeze in Mason jars to use for future soups, chicken pot pie, etc.
We had our buddy, Ryan, over for dinner but, as you can imagine, have tons of chicken leftover! I’m planning to make a Thai chicken pizza on Monday for dinner. And I’m sure I’ll have even more leftovers, so do you have any other suggestions of what I should make? What are some of your favorite dishes to make with chicken?
As usual I captured the dogs (intently watching Curtis cut up the birds) but forgot to take pictures of the people!
That looks so delicious! I think your butter rub sounds amazing. I'd just recommend throwing the lemon in the cavity. For whatever reason, that seems to be the winning method for me. That gnocchi looks to die for and I am heading over the Taco Tuesday right now to get the scoop!
ReplyDeleteThis is serious comfort food, it looks so good! That is my favorite salad with all the good stuff in it. And good to know about TJ's Oktoberfest beer.
ReplyDeleteYUM. And even better with good friends and good pups! :) xo!!
ReplyDeleteEmily, make chicken pot pie! Steam some veggies so you get about 3-4 cups of veggies and chicken. 3 tbsps of butter and 3 tbspns flour in a sauce pan to make a roux, add 1/2 cup chicken broth, half cup milk and thicken. Throw in 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese and melt. Mix in veggies and chicken and pour into pie crust. whalla!
ReplyDeleteI have to say who would want pics of Curtis & Ryan when you can see those beautiful faces? Your pics as usual amaze me.
ReplyDeleteIts all settled then...I'm making this for dinner tonight. The chicken, not the gnocchi. I'm not that brave :)
ReplyDelete