I Roasted a Chicken!
And I survived!
For some reason, roasting a chicken has scared me to death. Most likely because I despise touching raw meat. But today, I conquered those fears, even if I was screaming like a little girl the entire time.
Sometimes I get an idea in my head and it does not leave until I accomplish the task. I’ve been obsessed with the idea of roasting the chicken since last week, so I finally picked one up yesterday.
Maybe not my wisest decision, since this has already been quite a traumatic weekend. But I don’t regret it now.
After asking for lots of help via Facebook and Twitter, I loosely followed Ina’s recipe but decided to shove a can of beer up it’s rear.
I also saw a picture of beer can chicken with an apple shoved down it’s neck, so after stuffing 7 garlic cloves down there, I put in half a lemon. I figured it would work too! I also mixed about 1/3 cup of butter with some thyme, and rubbed it throughly under the skin and all over the top. That was fun.
I chopped some potatoes, fennel and parsnips to add to the bottom of the pan because it was what I had on hand. I also dumped about half of the can of beer in the bottom.
Mr. How Sweet and I clearly are four years old because we could not stop laughing at how funny this looked. He kept bringing up the episode of Friends where Monica puts the turkey on her head.
I roasted it at 425 degrees for about 1 1/2 hours.
I didn’t take many photos because we were too lost in the moment, but it was so delicious. Mr. How Sweet is still moaning over how good it tasted. He gave me the best compliment ever: “you just make this look so easy.” The crispy skin is amazing. If you haven’t roasted a chicken, you must do so soon.
I’m emotionally exhausted. Happy Sunday!
81 Comments on “I Roasted a Chicken!”
I’ve never roasted a chicken, but I def need to get on that b/c yours looks delicious!
Yum…I love beer can chicken! My husband and I love to grill it (indirectly) during the warmer months. I have never tried it in the oven, though. I will definately be trying this! Thanks, Jessica!
Oh-and the chicken does look funny sitting on that beer throne, doesn’t it? LOL! :-)
Mmmm okay you’ve got me. I’m not quite there yet but maybe someday I’ll try the beer can chicken. Hubs always wanted to do one but on the grill.
You can do it!
Roast chicken is one of my go-to meals when I want something good but I don’t feel like doing a lot of work. Now that you’ve tried it, I’ll bet you’ll be roasting chickens quite often! ;)
such a cute chicken!!! :)
Gorgeous chicken!
This past summer i roasted my first chicken also, and it was very similar — lemon, garlic, herbs http://livinglollie.blogspot.com/2010/08/healthy-saturday-lunch.html.
Although next time i’m going to try the beer can.
As always, thanks for sharing such great recipes and stories.
looks perfect, i love roast chicken! and the pictures made me crack up, don’t you love that friends episode?
:)
You did a fantastic job! I have to admit, I’m a bit terrified of cooking a whole raw chicken myself. That is what husbands are for :)
I love that Friends episode! I’m so impressed by this. Any kind of whole animal gives me chills when I think of cooking it. You are superwoman!
Yay for conquering the chicken!! I’m so with you on the whole “yuck!” factor of raw meat–especially raw, whole chickens. :P Whenever I make a chicken, I usually coerce someone else in my house to clear the guts and grossness out of the way beforehand. So, you deserve muchos kudos for getting it done by yourself (with some moral support from Mr. How Sweet included, no doubt). :D It looks amazing!
your chicken looks beautiful
I can’t stop laughing at the chicken either.
It’s like it should pop up and be all, “HEYYYY!”
My mom taught me to roast a chicken last time she came to visit. I’d be ok if I didn’t hate touching raw meat so much! I need to buy some gloves.
It’s funny that you’re blogging about this- I’ve never roasted a chicken before and lately I’ve been considering doing so. You’ve just pushed me over the edge, I think I have to now!
Your chicken looks great! You know what else? The way it’s sitting in a pan, I sorta want to put a sweater on it.
It’s not because your four year olds, it’s because it’s truly just that funny. I will never roast a chicken not sitting up from this moment on. Love.
Wow girl, this looks fantastic! I have and haven’t roasted a chicken…I own a Pampered Chef Deep Covered Baker that you can put a 3-5 pound chicken in and fully cook it in less than 30 minutes! I guess you can say I’m a roasted chicken cheater! ;)
I must be about 4 years old too! I couldn’t help but laugh at the sight of the chicken sitting up in the pan with a teeny tiny lemon “head”!
Ina will never steer you wrong!
It must be the weather because I finally got around to roasting my first chicken a few weeks ago (see blog post for evidence ;-). Something about being cooped up in the cold winter that makes you feel confident that you can tackle the roasting of a large bird, I guess. (No joke, I may be addicted to roast chicken now. It’s so easy and delicious!)
I know! I want to roast another one already.
OMG! I’ve been reading all these comments in amazement! Here in Aus, we have a roast ‘chook’ every week! Just throw it in the oven & then do something more interesting :)
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You have inspired me… always wanted to roast a chicken and today is my day! Mine is kind of laying down and not as “perky” as yours. Maybe it is because it is nearly 8 pounds. Poor thing! I am giddy and can’t wait to see how it turns out!!
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Quick question: Was there a particular reason you roasted it sitting up like that or is it just your preference? I imagine the skin is lovely and crispy all the way around, but is there some other, equally awesome reason to do so?