How To Make Rustic Roast Chicken

Step 1: Preheat the oven

Step 2: Stuff the chicken

Open the neck of the chicken and stuff with half a lemon and the sprigs of rosemary.

Step 3: Tie up the chicken

Secure the chicken by passing the string around the back of the bird, behind the wings. Then bring it up from underneath and around the ends of the drumsticks, binding them together firmly. From there, wrap the string once under the body and bring it back up to tie on top over the tips of the drumsticks.

Step 4: Season the chicken

Rub the chicken with a little olive oil and season all over with salt and pepper.

Wash and rinse the knife and chopping board with hot soapy water.

Step 5: Chop the vegetables and garlic

Roughly chop the vegetables into chunks and put them into a bowl.

Cut the garlic bulb down the centre and add it to the bowl with the other vegetables.

Step 6: Brown the chicken

Place the frying pan over a high heat and add the rest of the olive oil.

When hot, add the chicken, brown it on all sides and remove.

Step 7: Brown the vegetables

Put the vegetables into the same frying pan and season with salt and pepper.

Stirring occasionally, continue frying until they are lightly browned.

Step 8: Add ingredients to roasting dish

Place the chunky vegetables into the roasting dish, add the remaining herbs and butter and place the chicken on top.

Step 9: Put roasting dish in oven

Place the roasting dish on the middle shelf of the oven and cook for 30 minutes.

Step 10: Baste the chicken

After half an hour, open the oven and spoon the juices from the dish over the chicken, this will improve the flavour and colour of the bird. Then cook for a further 30 minutes.

Step 11: Add the stock

Pour the chicken stock into the roasting dish and cook for a final 20 to 30 minutes.

Step 12: Test the chicken

Insert a knife into the thick part of the leg. If the meat is white, it is ready to remove from the oven.

Cut the string off before carving and serve while baking hot with roast potatoes and the gravy.