Whole Tuscan Chicken

Whole Tuscan Chicken

Serves: 6-8

Ingredients:

o   1 x teaspoon salt

o   2 x teaspoon paprika

o   1.5 teaspoons dried thyme

o   ½ teaspoon garlic salt

o   ½ teaspoon dried rosemary

o   ¼ teaspoon dried oregano

o   ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper

o   1 x lemon, juiced, zested

o   8 x gloves garlic, minced, divided

o   4 x red medium potatoes, halved or quartered

o   1 x brown onion

o   3 x carrots, cut in half lengthwise and then into quarters

o  1.5 tablespoons olive oil, divided

o   1.5-2kg whole roasting chicken

o   1 x lemon, quartered   

Method:

1.   Put salt, paprika, thyme, garlic salt, rosemary, oregano and black pepper in a small bowl and mix together. Set aside. Add the lemon zest and half of the minced garlic gloves to the bowel of seasonings and mix again.

2.   Add the potatoes, onions and carrots to the bottom of the slow cooker. Pour lemon juice and 1 tablespoon of the olive oil on top of the vegetables and mix to coat. Add the other half of the minced garlic cloves on top of the vegetables.

3.   Wipe the chicken dry with a paper towel. Fold the wings down. Separate the skin from the breast and drumsticks with your fingers, but be careful not to rip the skin. Place some of the seasonings under the skin. *Note: remember to remove the skin before serving.

4.   Rub the chicken with ½ tablespoon of olive oil. Add the seasoning inside and all over the chicken. Add quartered lemons to the inside of the chicken. Tie the legs together with kitchen twine. Place the chicken on top of the vegetables inside the slow cooker.

5.   Cook on high for 4-6 hours or on low for 6-9 hours.

6.   Remove the chicken and place in a roasting pan or oven-safe glass dish. Bake in oven at 230-250 degrees Celsius for 5-10minutes. Be careful and watch it does not burn.

7.   Serve with vegetables from the slow cooker and your favourite greens (I.e broccoli, brussel sprouts, asparagus, bok choy etc)

Did you know?

• This recipe is great for families, working out to be only $1.98 per serving!

• Saturated fat is the type that contributes to elevated cholesterol levels. This type of fat is found is animal meat, particularly the skin. So, don’t forget to discard the skin after or before cooking.

• Chicken is a classed as a complete protein, meaning it contains all nine essential amino acids. Essential amino acids cannot be made by your body and must be obtained through the foods you eat. One of these essential amino acids plays a crucial role in protein synthesis and muscle repair. Incorporating chicken into your post-workout meal can assist with muscle mass growth.

Recipe adapted by Julie Deily of The Little Kitchen.