Herb Roasted Chicken

One of my favorite meals has always been a Roasted Chicken with Mashed Potatoes and Steamed Green Beans. 

Recently, it's been windy, cold and very unlike springtime. On a blustery day, fit enough for Pooh to holler "Oh Bother!" and Piglet to wrap his scarf tighter, I decided on a comfort meal. 

I had a small chicken thawed, a day I was working from home, and time on my hands.  

My partner has a long commute. On the days I work from home, I like making the time to have a nice dinner ready when he arrives home.  It's nice to have him walk in, snatch a kiss, pass him a glass of wine, sit down and have a relaxing meal together. 

A small chicken is just right for two people, it gives us two meals and a few sandwiches for lunches, at work. 

It isn't fancy, doesn't require hours of preparation or confusing steps to roast a chicken.  It's a basic meal. Comforting, easy and traditional.

Herb Roasted Chicken

• 1 Roasting Chicken
• 1 Medium Whole Onion (peeled)
• 1-2 Tbsp Olive Oil
• 1 tsp Dried Parsley
• 1 tsp Dried Ground Sage
• 1 tsp Dried Rosemary
• 1/2 tsp Dried Ground Thyme
• 1/2 tsp Ground Pepper
• 1 Tbsp Garlic Powder
• Kosher Salt 
• Kitchen Twine

Pre-Heat Oven to 400 F.

Wash Chicken and dry with paper towels inside and out. 

Rub interior cavity of Chicken with Kosher Salt.

Insert whole peeled Onion. Tie Chicken legs closed. 

Rub Olive Oil over the outside of chicken. 

In a bowl  or mortar and pestle, combine Dried Herbs, Garlic Powder and Ground Pepper.

Grind all herbs to a fine powder. Sprinkle herbs mix generously over the entire out side of the chicken. 

Place in Oven. Bake at 400 F for 30 minutes.

Drop Temp to 325 F

Bake for 2 hours or until meat thermometer reads 165-170 F.

Rest Chicken for 10-15 minutes. Carve and Serve. 

In the Spring,  Steamed Asparagus is a nice change in place of  Green Beans.  Rice, with butter (or margarine), can replace the Mashed Potatoes for a lighter meal. 

This meal is a Gluten Free Option for Celiacs or Gluten Sensitive people.  

The recipe for the chicken is also Dairy Free for Lactose Sensitive persons.