Hearty Herb Roasted Chicken with Root Vegetables

Hearty Herb Roasted Chicken with Root Vegetables

This Hearty Herb Roasted Chicken with Root Vegetables is the perfect comfort food for any season. With golden, crispy chicken infused with fragrant herbs and surrounded by roasted root vegetables, each bite promises savory goodness. This recipe, which combines simple ingredients and straightforward techniques, is a great way to bring a sophisticated yet homely meal to your table.

Ingredients:

• 1 whole chicken (about 4-5 lbs)
• 4 large carrots, peeled and cut into thick slices
• 3 parsnips, peeled and cut into thick slices
• 2 red onions, quartered
• 5-6 cloves of garlic, smashed
• 3-4 sprigs of fresh rosemary
• 3-4 sprigs of fresh thyme
• 1 lemon, sliced
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1/4 cup chicken broth

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
2. Rinse the chicken thoroughly under cold water and pat dry with paper towels.
3. In a large roasting pan, arrange the carrots, parsnips, red onions, and garlic. Drizzle with half of the olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Toss the vegetables to coat well.
4. Place the chicken on top of the vegetables. Rub the chicken with the remaining olive oil and season it with salt, black pepper, and paprika. Stuff the cavity of the chicken with the lemon slices, and half of the rosemary and thyme sprigs.
5. Scatter the remaining rosemary and thyme sprigs around the chicken and vegetables in the roasting pan.
6. Pour the chicken broth into the bottom of the roasting pan to keep the vegetables moist while roasting.
7. Roast the chicken in the preheated oven for about 1 hour and 30 minutes, or until the meat reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C) and the juices run clear when the thickest part of the chicken is pierced.
8. Once roasted, remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for 10-15 minutes before carving. This helps the juices redistribute throughout the meat, keeping it moist and flavorful.

Serving suggestion:
Serve the roasted chicken carved into pieces with the beautifully caramelized root vegetables on the side. A fresh green salad or a loaf of crusty bread would complement this comforting meal perfectly. Enjoy!