Hi, this thanksgiving instead of a traditional turkey, I am making a roasted whole chicken. I really want it to be juicy and American styled. Anyone have any suggestions for how I can bake a whole chicken in the oven? Keep it yummy yet American. The thing is, I wanted a turkey but my husband insisted on chicken since we go by train to get our halal meat and a.) a turkey would be too heavy for him to carry with other groceries b.) He thinks that since we all like dark meat, the white meat would be leftover and taste dry and no one would eat it c.) Chicken, if cooked right, is a sure fire pleaser. d.) and turkey wasn’t avilable when he got the chicken last week and is available now but neither of us have time to go 1 hour by train and bus to get it. Okay, so I would perfer turkey but its too late to think of that. If anyone has a good baked whole chicken recipe let me know. Thanks! P.S.- I am having other American styled thanksgiving foods like: mashed potatoe, cranberry sauce, green bean casserole, pumpkin pie and other dishes.
Re: Need chicken recipe quick!
Depends on what type of flavor you like. Not sure where you live, but they sell these plastic baking bags by reynolds. You place the chicken inside the bag with whatever marinade/spices and marinate for however long you want. I think you poke a few holes in the bag & you bake in the oven inside the bag. It is supposed to turn out really moist & juicy. Another option would be to first start cooking breast side down, and cover the chicken pan with foil until done. It also remains juicy that way. Once the chicken is done, u can uncover n cook a while if u want to brown some more...but it usually turns out great covered in foil. Now for recipes:
1) Marinade chicken by rubbing ginger/garlic paste all under skin and in cavity. Also maybe some soy sauce and hot pepper
2) rub olive oil all over chicken. Make a paste of garlic, hot green pepper, lemon juice & some ginger, but also add some fresh herbs like oregano/basil or tarragon etc. Add salt/pepper to taste. Then rub that all over turkey outside & inside the skin...and let it marinate a few hours before baking. When ready to bake you may add a few basil leaves or other herb leaves under the skin and inside the cavity for extra fragrance whatever. Turns out decent.
3) do a search on food network for brine. Make a brine out of water/salt/brown sugar/spices etc.....the recipes seem pretty good, and brining lets the chicken absorb flavor throughout.
4) you can just do a simple cajun butter dressing. Melt some butter and to it add cajun spice mix. rub that all over the chicken, outside the skin and under the skin. make sure to prick the chicken with a fork in a few places for the masala to absorb. Maybe even squeeze some lemon juice into it & bake covered. Could do a side of roasted veggies or slic eup some potatoes and bake with the chicken....
Re: Need chicken recipe quick!
Thanks for the recipe ideas. I just thought I'd ask here so people may give their successful recipes for a whole chicken roast that they may have tried before going to food network.If anyone has anything better let me know. Thanks!
Re: Need chicken recipe quick!
Re: Need chicken recipe quick!
Thanks for trying mano87 but I found a recipe on food network. I just need help figuring this part out:Transfer the chicken to a cutting board and loosely tent with foil while making the gravy.
What does this mean? I know what gravy is but what does " loosely tent with foil" mean? Thanks for any clarification any of you can provide!
Loosely tent means to cover loosely with foil so that the foil forms a kind of tent around the chicken but is not actually touching the chicken itself. Its for keeping it moist and rest for a while. Everytime u roast, u should always allow the meat or chicken to rest for at least 10 minutes, this makes it tender. I would say for 20 mins.
BTW, in my opinion u did well to stick to chicken, turkey can take some getting used too, either too bland / dry or has a strange smell if u r not used to it.