Gina’s Perfect Roast Chicken with Gravy

I wanted to make a comforting dish since the weather is starting to get cooler so roasting a chicken sounded like the right thing to do. I’m not huge on watching the Neely’s show on Food Network, but when I was flipping through and saw them making this recipe I knew I had to try it. It’s so easy to prep a head of time and pop in the oven when you’re ready. I didn’t tie the legs up because I wasn’t too worried about presentation being that it’s just my husband and I and the cast iron pan kept it close together. The smell is mouth watering and the chicken is so moist and juicy!! This would make a great substitute if you don’t care to make a turkey for Thanksgiving. Even more the bird doesn’t stick to the pan and make a huge mess I love the idea of lining the pan with onions.

Gina’s Perfect Roast Chicken with Gravy
(Adapted from The Neely’s)

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Ingredients
Herb Butter:
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
1 teaspoon freshly chopped thyme leaves
1 teaspoon freshly chopped sage leaves
1 teaspoon freshly chopped rosemary leaves
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 medium onion, peeled and sliced 1/2-inch thick
1 (5-pound) roasting chicken, rinsed, dried and giblets removed
2 lemon slices
1 sprig fresh thyme, chopped
1 sprig fresh rosemary, chopped
1 sprig fresh sage, chopped
3 large cloves garlic, peeled and smashed

Herb Butter
1/4 cup white wine
1 cup chicken broth

Directions
For the herb butter:

In a small bowl, add the butter, chopped thyme, rosemary, and sage. Season with salt and pepper and mix together with a wooden spoon. Reserve.

Preheat oven to 475 degrees F.

Lay onion slices down the center of a large cast iron skillet to create 2 rows that are touching.

Season the cavity of the chicken with salt and pepper, add lemon slices, thyme, rosemary, sage and garlic cloves.

Using your hands, gently separate the skin from the meat of the breast. Evenly spread the herb butter on the meat underneath the skin. Take the remaining butter and gently rub the skin. Wash hands and season the skin with salt and pepper. Tie drumsticks together using twine. Place the chicken on the onion slices.

Transfer the pan to the preheated oven and roast until the skin is golden brown and crisp, about 1 hour and 20 minutes. Use an instant-read thermometer to make sure the thighs have reached 165 degrees F.

Remove the chicken from the oven. Transfer to a cutting board, tent with foil and let rest. (I reserved the onions to serve with the chicken because they where soft and caramelized, not burnt like the show served.)

Spoon off as much fat from the pan as possible. Place the pan over high heat and add white wine. Use a wooden spoon to scrape up all the browned bits on the bottom of the pan. Add chicken broth and let reduce to about half, about 4 to 5 minutes. Strain out the onions. Add the gravy back to the pan and keep warm.