Here's What's for Supper: Ultimate Roast Chicken

Tyler Florence's AMAZING recipe. I substitute brandy for sherry in the roux and used shallots instead of onion. I'm serving it with grilled asparagus and oven-roasted potatoes. :9

Who's hungry?

http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/recipes/recipe/0,1977,FOOD_9936_21965,00.html

1 (5 1/2 pound) free-range chicken
1/2 bunch each fresh oregano, thyme, and parsley
1/4 pound unsalted butter, softened
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 orange, halved
1/2 head garlic
1 medium white onion, halved, plus 1 onion
6 strips smoked bacon
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups chicken broth
1/4 cup dry sherry
Serving suggestion: roast potatoes, watercress and gravy.

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
Rinse the chicken with cool water, inside and out. Pat it dry with paper towels. Divide the herbs, keeping 1/2 of them whole. Finely chop the other half. In a small bowl, mash the softened butter with the chopped herbs, until combined. Rub the herbed butter under the skin, as well as all over the outside of the chicken. Season the bird all over with salt and pepper. Stuff the cavity with the orange, garlic, 1 onion, and the remaining herbs. Tie the legs together with kitchen twine to help hold its shape. Place the chicken, breast-side up, in a roasting pan. Put the remaining onion into the pan, which will help color and flavor the sauce. Lay the strips of bacon across the breast of the chicken and roast for 25 minutes.
Remove the bacon and baste the chicken with the drippings and cook for another 25 minutes to brown the skin. The chicken is done when an instant-read thermometer reads 165 degrees F when inserted into the thickest part of the thigh (the legs of the chicken should wiggle easily from the sockets too.) Remove the chicken to a platter and let stand for 10 minutes, so the juices settle back into the meat before carving.
Meanwhile, remove the softened onion from the roasting pan. Tilt the pan so the drippings collect in 1 corner, skimming off as much fat as possible, and leaving the drippings. Place the roasting pan on top of the stove over medium heat and take a wooden spoon to scrape up the flavor from the bottom of the pan. Stir the flour into the drippings to make a roux-like paste. Pour in the chicken broth in stages; continue to stir to dissolve the flour evenly to prevent lumps. Stir in the sherry and season with salt and pepper.
To serve, carve the chicken tableside and squeeze the oranges from the cavity over the meat.

I`ve watched him many times and he makes it all look so easy. Enjoy your delicious dinner.

Dayum that man is hot!

:loveya:

And there's something about his voice that drives me crzy!:evilgrin:

I put the bird on each of its sides before I finish with it breast side up.

On edit - I also like to start the oven at ~450 for a short while, I find it seals the bird's moisture better and improves the taste of the meat.

RTP

I would let my chickens free range but I also have "free range dogs" that love to eat chickens. (learned that the hard way)
So, where does one purchase a free range chicken?

Bell & Evans is a popular brand-they're delicious!

:9

http://www.bellandevans.com/


There's a link on the website where to buy their chicken.