Budget-Friendly Christmas Chicken Dinner
A delicious and impressive festive feast without the fuss or cost of a large turkey. A succulent roast chicken with all the trimmings is far easier to cook and just as celebratory.
Equipment
- Roasting Tray
Ingredients
Main
- 1 1.5-2 kg whole chicken giblets removed
- 1 lemon lemon pricked all over
- 1 head garlic halved horizontally
- 2 tbsp softened butter or olive oil
- salt and pepper
Optional Trimmings
- 6 chipolata sausages
- 8 slices streaky bacon
- 500 g roasting potatoes parboiled
- 300 g Brussels sprouts trimmed
- 4 carrots peeled and halved
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 200°C (400°F). Pat the chicken dry. Season the cavity generously, then stuff with the lemon and garlic.
- Smear the butter or oil all over the skin and season well with salt and pepper. Place in a roasting tray.
- Roast for 20 minutes per 500g (1 lb) plus an extra 20 minutes (approx. 80 mins total). Baste halfway through.
- With 40 minutes left, add the parboiled potatoes to the tray to roast in the chicken fat. With 20 minutes left, add the sausages and bacon to the tray.
- Meanwhile, steam or boil the Brussels sprouts and carrots until tender.
- The chicken is done when the juices run clear. Rest for 10-15 minutes before carving. Serve with all the trimmings and gravy.
Notes
Using the same tray for the chicken, potatoes, and pigs-in-blankets saves on washing up and adds incredible flavor. Letting the chicken rest is crucial for tender meat. Use the pan juices to make a simple gravy.
Nutrition
Calories: 780kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 55gFat: 42gSaturated Fat: 14gCholesterol: 215mgSodium: 800mgPotassium: 1450mgFiber: 8gSugar: 10gVitamin A: 8500IUVitamin C: 80mgCalcium: 120mgIron: 4.8mg
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