Roasted Chicken

Roasted Chicken is an awesome Sunday dinner. It is a wonderful meal and there are usually leftovers that are great for sandwiches!

What you need:
1 Roaster Chicken
1 Fresh Lemon
Butter
Salt
Pepper
Paprika
Garlic Salt
Twine (If your roaster isn't tied in the package)

Oven: 350 Degrees F (Preheat as you are preparing the chicken)
Total cooking time will be around an hour, plan on 20-30 min more if you have a big roaster.

Buy a roaster from the store that is size appropriate for your family. 2-3 lbs is good for the 2 of us. I don't really have a preference. We got one from Walmart yesterday, it was some organic brand. I just don't go for the ones that have the flavor added.

Take the chicken out of the packaging and remove the gizzards (save them if you feed your dogs raw, they will love you tonight! if not toss them)

Rinse the chicken well inside and out.

Pat the chicken dry with a paper towel...inside too, don't forget!

Roll the lemon on the counter so it breaks up the cells inside and produces more juice. Slice it in half.
Slice chunks of butter (approx 2 tbls total). And get your spices ready.

I forgot to get out the paprika for the picture...geeze

Start on the chicken breast: very gently run your finger between the meat and the skin of the chicken up by the neck. You are just getting the skin away from the meat in little pockets, be careful not to tear the skin. Slide a pat of butter into the space above each breast. I do the same down by the legs. Try to position the butter on top of the meat. It doesn't have to be perfect, just get it under the skin where you can without ripping the skin. It is tricky to find a good spot for the legs but do the best you can. The reason for this is the butter keeps the meat very moist and flavorful. If you put it on top, it will melt and all run off immediately and burn in the pan, but it's protected under the skin.

Generously season the skin with salt, pepper, garlic salt and paprika. I like to rub it all over to make sure it's evenly distributed. You can't really over-season, I mean the whole bottle is a little much, but you are seasoning the skin so be generous. Squeeze a little lemon juice on as you are rubbing your spices on. Put the lemon slices into the cavity, I could only fit half into my little chicken but use the whole thing if you can.

My chicken wasn't tied: the purpose of tying is to make the chicken more uniform is size which equals more even cooking. I tie the wings behind the chicken, it's hard to see but just wrap twine around the first joint in each  wing and tie it into a tight knot so they are together. The legs: I crossed and tied like pictured. You can do this on your own but it can be tricky...help could be handy. You hold while your helper ties.

Cook in the oven uncovered for at least 20-30 minutes...this will make the skin brown and crisp. At about 30 minutes, you will need to cover the pan so the meat cooks thoroughly. If you like the skin really crispy uncover when the breast meat is around 150 degrees.

(This is a good time to start cooking your mashed potatoes if you are having them)

The chicken is done when an instant read thermometer reads 175 degrees in the legs and 160 degrees in the breasts. If you cook to the 180 degrees the packages say you will have dry meat. They have to put what is 'safe' because some people are morons. Refer to any reputable cooking publication for proper cooking temperatures (Cooks Magazine, America's Test Kitchen, etc.). The juices will run clear when the meat is poked. (I was given the Thermo Pen as a gift and let me tell you, it might be pricey but it is worth it!! I use it everyday! I never overcook anything. I have the original but I see they have added a waterproof one)

Be careful not to overcook the meat or else it will be dry and disgusting!

Once the meat reaches temperature remove from the oven

if only you could smell this...mmmmmmmm

Remove the chicken to your cutting board and tent tinfoil over it.

I make gravy with the drippings in the pan: stirring is the key here...

What you need:
Pan with chicken drippings ( I leave any skin or meat chunks that stayed behind, the more the merrier)
Wondra Flour
Chicken Broth
Salt and Pepper

(now is a good time to start your veges...I love the steamfresh kinds where you just throw them in the microwave!)

Sprinkle Wondra Flour (find it at the grocery store it's a tall blue container and it works wonders...no pun intended) over the drippings in the pan. I use probably 1-2 tsp.
Turn low heat on under the pan and stir in the wondra flour well so it doesn't clump. Pour chicken broth over...I don't measure, I eyeball it but you use probably 1 1/2 to 2 cups total.
Continuously stir the gravy until it starts to simmer...at this point the gravy will be thickening up. If it's too loose add more wondra flour, if it's too thick add more chicken broth.
When the consistency is what you want you can turn the heat down more so it stays hot or just turn it off while you are cutting the chicken.
Stir in some salt and pepper to taste...yes taste it. A good cook tastes everything!!!!

Once your gravy is done carve up the bird...serve with mashed potatoes and a vegetable.

I'm not implying anything but if you need some help with carving your bird check out this site: Carving a chicken. it gives step by step instructions with pictures :)

I like gravy but this chicken doesn't need it. It is so moist and succulent...even the white breast meat is moist. The butter under the skin really does the trick, and being really careful about the temperature helps too.

The meal is a crowd pleaser in my family and it's really easy!

You may be thinking...easy?! It is, I'm long winded here because I am offering my advice and tips to make this easier for you. Cooking takes a little time and some love. You can't just throw something in the oven, set the timer and bam it's done. You have to check on it once in a while and make sure it's doing ok...every oven is different! If you want food you can enjoy you have to plan on investing a little effort at the very least, but trust me it's worth it!!