Beginner Roast Chicken

Directions

1. 1
   Preheat the oven to about 375F.
2. 2
   Place your chicken on a tray.
3. 3
   Season it up.
4. 4
   Let's stick to salt and pepper at first.
5. 5
   There's nothing else you can add here that's going to make an improperly cooked chicken.
6. 6
   There is no set amount.
7. 7
   Just use dry fingers to sprinkle salt and fresh cracked pepper evenly over the surface of the beast.
8. 8
   Place your chicken in the oven.
9. 9
   Come back in about an hour.
10. 10
    The skin should pretty much look like the picture, crispy and golden brown.
11. 11
    If that's the case, pull the thing out and set it on the stove.
12. 12
    Otherwise, let her ride another 10 minutes or so.
13. 13
    Get your meat thermometer and check the internal temperature.
14. 14
    Send the tip of the thermometer to the deepest point in the breast, but be careful not to rest it up against bone, as this can throw off your reading.
15. 15
    Do the same at the deepest point of the thigh.
16. 16
    The government says internal temperature should be 165F to be safe.
17. 17
    I shoot for about 155F personally.
18. 18
    Let it rest for 10 minutes before carving and the cooking will carry over.
19. 19
    Do what you will.
20. 20
    Carve this sucker up on the table like a mini Thanksgiving, or just tear it apart and use it for recipes throughout the week.
21. 21
    If you're looking for some guidance on carving, just send me a message and I'll try to offer some tips.
22. 22
    Collect all of the bones and the juices released from carving, and if available, also collect any juice or drippings from the pan (deglaze the cooking tray if you can), and place them in a pot or slow cooker, and cover with water.
23. 23
    Add the giblets too if you were lucky enough to get any.
24. 24
    Slow simmer for at least 12 hours, then strain.
25. 25
    Throw away the bones and keep this luscious chicken nectar to use throughout the week.
26. 26
    Make a soup or a sauce, or even just drink the stuff like tea if you like.
27. 27
    This broth tastes great and provides a lot of nutrients that you don't much find in our modern diets.
28. 28
    I really suggest doing this once a week.
29. 29
    It's so helpful to have chicken and chicken stock on hand to help you weave through your culinary week.
30. 30
    Make chicken salad one day, chicken enchiladas another day, or anything that suits you.
31. 31
    Just type 'chicken' followed by whatever other ingredients you have on hand into the search bar (e.g., 'chicken carrots potatoes celery') and you'll get an idea of how useful this is.
32. 32
    Once you've made 5 or 10 roast chickens, you might start to get good at it, and certainly put your own spin on the story.
33. 33
    You'll be amazed what you can do with these few ingredients.