
Before I even go into the health benefits, please consider buying grass-fed, pastured, organic chickens which are raised the old-fashioned way. There are plenty of family farms who care about their animals and provide them with healthy diets and lifestyles. Their meat is much healthier and tastier than industrial chicken and the nutritional information I will be providing really only applies to a chicken raised in this manner. Chicken is high in protein, tryptophan (that is where the comfort comes in), selenium, B3, B6 and phosphorus. B3, or niacin, is important in protecting against cancer, age-related cognitive decline and blood sugar regulation. B6 is important for energy and cardiovascular health. It also works hand-in-hand with B3 to regulate metabolism, and supports a variety of metabolic reactions. Selenium is an essential component of thyroid hormone metabolism, antioxidant defense systems and immune function. And chicken, like all protein-dense foods, are important for the regulation of mood and stress management (including depression, anxiety and sleep). And for those of you who may be horrified at the idea of putting butter on chicken skin, you can always take the skin off after you cook it. Although we often hear how dangerous it is to eat fat and cholesterol, it is truly important to get good quality cholesterol and saturated fat in your diet.
- 1 (4 to 5-pound) roasting chicken
- 1 large yellow onion, chopped
- extra-virgin olive oil
- pink salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 2 lemons, quartered
- 2 tablespoons melted unsalted butter from grassfed cows
DIRECTIONS
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Take the giblets out of the chicken and wash it inside and out. Remove any excess fat and leftover pinfeathers. Pat dry.
Toss the onion with olive oil in a small roasting pan. Ensure the onions are tossed well or they will burn a bit. Place the chicken on top and sprinkle the inside of the cavity with salt and pepper. Place the quartered lemons inside the chicken. Brush the outside of the chicken with the melted butter and sprinkle with salt and pepper. You are supposed to then tie the legs together with kitchen string, but I usually skip that part. Tuck the wing tips under the body of the chicken so they don’t burn.
Roast for 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 hours, or until the juices run clear when you cut between the leg and the thigh. Cover with foil and allow to sit at room temperature for 15 minutes. Ina serves this over croutons (which is amazing), but since I don’t eat much gluten these days, I serve it with brown rice, vegetables, the cooked onions and topped with the pan juices. It is so delicious! The top gets nice and brown from the butter, and the breast meat stays juicy and tender due to the moisture from the onions.
Oh wow, that chicken looks amazing!
Def. a perfect Sunday dinner!!! I love roasted chicken!! Very nice post.
I love roasted chicken. No matter how many times I make it, it always tastes different because you can use so many different ingredients with it.
Roast chicken is a popular dish at home. I will roast the whole chicken and have leftovers for sandwiches, pita bread and pasta.
I love the look of this and could smell it cooking yummy!
@Simply Life: Thanks! It is soooo good 🙂
@Miranda: Thanks!
@My Man's Belly: I agree. So many great ways to roast chicken.
@penny aka jeroxie: It is great to have so many options with leftovers. One chicken lats forever!
@pegasuslegend: Thanks! I am glad the picture turned out ok…it is always touch and go when taking pics of meat.
simply and good!!!
There really is nothing like a good old roast chicken dinner. I don't think I'll ever get sick of it! Yours looks like a winner, and I have to agree that buying a good quality (and happy) bird makes all the difference. No point roasting a sad bird, I don't think!
looks sooo good.
Thank you for sharing!
I have never roast a chicken before because I have always thought they are so difficult to do. I will give them a try using your recipe when I can gather the boys together for a meal. Thanks for sharing.
Great recipes and food and pics!
Ronell
Thanks for the kind words!
looks delicious and hearty!
@Genny G.: Thanks!
@Conor @ HoldtheBeef: I completely agree!
@foodlovee: Thank you 🙂
@Anncoo: You're welcome!
@Jeannie: It is truly an easy recipe.
@myfrenchkitchen: Thank you so much!
@janet: You're welcome!
@Jessie: Thank you 🙂
Just what I would love to have. The roast looks very delicious. Would be very nice with noodles too.