French-style Slow-Roasted Chicken with Lemon and Garlic
- 1 (3 To 4 Lb. Size) Whole Chicken
- 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
- 6 cloves Garlic, Divided
- 2 sprigs Rosemary, Divided
- 2 sprigs Thyme, Divided
- 2 sprigs Parsley, Divided
- 1 Onion, Peeled And Cut Into 6
- 1 Carrot, Washed And Cut Into Chunks
- 1 stalk Celery, Washed And Cut Into Chunks
- 1 piece Florence Fennel, Cut Into Chunks (Stalky Bits Are Fine)
- 2 Bay Leaves
- 1 Lemon
- 1 teaspoon Dried Tarragon Or Oregano (optional)
- 5 ounces, fluid White Wine Or White Vermouth Or Dry Sherry
- Preheat oven to 200 degrees C (400 degrees F).
- Put chicken in a tin in which it will fit quite snugly (if you happen to have an old-fashioned enamel chicken roaster, that would be perfect).
- Rub chicken all over with olive oil (you probably wont need the whole tablespoon, just use enough to make the skin receptive to the salt, pepper and herbs).
- Put 3 cloves of garlic and a sprig of each of the herbs into the chicken cavity.
- (Make sure you wash your hands after touching the raw chicken.)
- Add chunks of vegetables, bay leaves, lemon pieces and the remaining herb sprigs to the tin, tucking them around the chicken.
- Season chicken liberally all over with salt and pepper, then finely grate or mince the rest of the garlic and scatter it over the top.
- Finally, sprinkle with dried oregano or tarragon, if using.
- Cover tightly with the lid if you are using a chicken roaster, or with a double layer of greased foil if you are using an ordinary roasting tin.
- It is extremely important that the tin is tightly sealed and that there are no holes in the foil that will let the juices evaporate.
- Put chicken into the oven and immediately reduce temperature to 180 degrees C (350 degrees F).
- Leave untouched (dont be tempted to peep, you will never get it sealed again) for 2 1/2 to 3 hours.
- Remove chicken to a warmed plate and cover with foil or the lid of the roaster while you make the jus.
- Add wine (or vermouth or sherry) to the tin and, using a spatula, scape down all the lovely sticky bits from the sides of the tin and give everything a good stir to make sure you extract all the flavour from the chunks of roasted vegetables and lemons.
- Once you are satisfied youve done a good job, strain the juices into a small saucepan (discard the veggies and lemon pieces).
- Skim any fat off the top using a spoon, then bring to the boil.
- Simmer until you have the consistency you want.
- Carve the chicken into pieces and serve with the jus.
chicken, olive oil, garlic, rosemary, thyme, parsley, onion, carrot, celery, fennel, bay leaves, lemon, tarragon, sherry
Taken from tastykitchen.com/recipes/main-courses/french-style-slow-roasted-chicken-with-lemon-and-garlic/ (may not work)