Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Roast Chicken with Olives and Lemon

This is something I've tried several years ago but never get a chance to cook it at home.  I'm not sure how it was done but I only know black olives were used so I decided to just try it out with whatever I can find in my fridge.  The chicken turned out tasty and my family enjoyed their dinner :-)

Do you see the 2 dark patches on the breast?  I lined 2 slices of lemon on it and it got charred :P

The leftover chicken breast was shredded and we had chicken porridge the next day ;-)

Roast Chicken with Olives and Lemon
Ingredients
1 kg chicken
3 - 4 granola potatoes, washed clean and cut into wedges (I pre-cooked them in the microwave for 4 - 5 mins with olive oil and salt)
1 tbsp sea salt
1/2 tsp dried mixed herbs
8 - 10 black pitted olives, finely chopped
1 lemon, thinly sliced
3 - 4 bulbs garlic

Method
  1. Wash, clean and pat the chicken dry with paper towels all over, including the cavity.
  2. Rub sea salt all over the chicken and inside the cavity.
  3. In a separate bowl, combine dried mixed herbs and olives.
  4. Spread the contents of the bowl onto the chicken including the cavity.  Gently separate the skin and rub the leftover mixture on your fingers onto the chicken breast.
  5. Stuff as many cloves of garlic and lemon slices into the cavity of the chicken.  Let the chicken marinate for 10 minutes.
  6. Line the roasting pan with aluminium foil (this is for easier clean up later).
  7. Arrange the potatoes and balance garlic in a single layer on the prepared pan.
  8. Place the chicken (breast side up) on the prepared pan.
  9. Bake in preheated oven of 250C for around 40 mins.
  10. Remove from oven and pour out drippings collected from the pan.  Turn the chicken over and roast for another 15 - 20 mins.  Remove drippings collected again. 
  11. Reduce temperature to 220C.  Turn the chicken over again, breast side up, and roast for another 10 - 15 mins, or till chicken is cooked.
  12. Allow to cool for at least 10 mins before serving.
Note
To check if the chicken is cook thoroughly, pierce a satay stick/skewer between the drumstick and the thigh. It is cooked if the juice runs clear. If there are still streaks of blood (pink liquid), cook the chicken longer.

11 comments:

MaryMoh said...

That's such a beautiful roast. Time I learn to roast chicken. I always buy chicken thighs to bake.

WendyinKK said...

I have never roasted a whole chicken before.
One day I will :)

ann low said...

Mmm..the roast chicken looks juicy and so good to make use the chicken leftover.

Sonia ~ Nasi Lemak Lover said...

I like to roast chicken this way too!

Happy Homebaker said...

The chicken is so juicy! I like the idea of using olives, will try it next time I am sure it taste good!

DG said...

Your roasted chicken make me drooling

Pei-Lin said...

I've been thinking of making roast chicken/lamb/ham ... Never get around to do so! =(

Yours looks really succulent! Lemony!? Sounds so Mediterranean! And Western-style chicken in Chinese rice porridge!? LOL! Truly East meets West!

lululu said...

as far as i love roast chicken, i'm also a big fan of left over chicken congee!

Pam said...

Yum!!! It looks delicious and I have not roasted a chicken in a while but will have to now after seeing this. It looks very moist and tender!

Ean said...

Hi the potato bake together with the chicken ?
Dripping means the liquid, and the oil comes out from the chicken and potato ?

Blessed Homemaker said...

Ean,
I bake the potato wedges together. If I'm not pressed for time, I will zap the potato in the microwave for a few mins first.

You are right about the drippings, ie juices/oil from the chicken.