Roast Chicken with Herbs and Pan Gravy
- One 4-pound chicken, preferably free-range
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt
- 2 teaspoons dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried sage
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- Sprigs of fresh thyme and sage (optional)
- One 14-ounce can chicken broth, or 2 cups homemade
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch, or 1/4 cup unbleached, all-purpose flour
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F, and position rack near the center.
- Place the chicken in a 6-cup oval ceramic baking dish or a 9-by-13-inch baking pan, then sprinkle it inside and out with the salt, dried herbs, and pepper.
- If you like, place a few sprigs of each herb inside the cavity of the chicken.
- Roast for 90 minutes, basting from time to time if desired.
- Transfer the chicken to a carving board or a platter.
- Set it in a warm place and tent loosely with aluminum foil.
- Tilt the roasting pan over a cup to collect pan drippings, and set aside.
- (Fat will rise to the surface and flavorful juices will sink to the bottom.)
- Pour 1 cup of the chicken broth into the roasting pan.
- With a metal spatula, scrape up any bits clinging to the pan.
- In a small saucepan over medium-high heat, whisk the cornstarch into the remaining cup of chicken broth and cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture begins to boil.
- Add the broth from the roasting pan and continue stirring until boiling and slightly thickened.
- Discard most of the fat from the top of the reserved pan drippings (you should have about 1 cups), then whisk the juices into the gravy.
- Transfer to a gravy boat.
- Serve the chicken hot with garlic mashed potatoes, a simple green vegetable, and the gravy.
chicken, kosher salt, thyme, sage, freshly ground black pepper, thyme, chicken broth, cornstarch
Taken from www.cookstr.com/recipes/roast-chicken-with-herbs-and-pan-gravy (may not work)