Olive Oil-Roasted Chicken with Mediterranean Vegetables

Roasted Chicken with Mediterranean Vegetables Recipe - Enjoy a delicious roasted chicken recipe that is also packed with healthy potassium! The roasted Mediterranean vegetables are the perfect compliment to this roasted chicken dish.

The Mediterranean diet

The Mediterranean diet has been studied for many years and research has continued to prove its health benefits of it. The general idea behind this type of diet is to eat natural foods from plants, fresh fruit, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains daily. Even a little poultry, fish, and healthy fats such as olive oil are part of a well-balanced Mediterranean diet.

In a small bowl, combine oil

In a small bowl, combine oil, lemon thyme and season with salt and pepper. Whisk to emulsify if desired. Season chicken generously inside and out with salt and pepper, then stuff the cavity with lemon halves. Using your hands or a brush, coat the outside of the chicken with an oil mixture, making sure to coat legs and thighs well.

Place roasted vegetables

Place roasted vegetables in the bottom of the roasting pan and place chicken on top. Brush the entire chicken with the remaining oil mixture. Roast until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of thigh registers 165°F, about 1 hour 20 minutes

Roast for 45 minutes more, basting with drippings every 15 minutes.

To serve roasted chicken, carve into pieces or separate into joints. Serve roasted vegetables alongside roasted chicken.

Does the roasted chicken come out more flavorful if marinated?

Does the roasted chicken come out more flavorful if marinated? You can marinate roasted chicken in salt, pepper, and garlic powder. It is not necessary, and might actually make your roasted chicken turn out a bit too salty! If you do want to marinade roasted chicken, use a roasted chicken marinade with ingredients like olive oil, lemon, white wine vinegar, thyme, oregano, basil, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt.

In the oven on a baking sheet

Can roasted chicken be cooked in the oven on a baking sheet? You can cook roasted chicken in the oven without any special tools or equipment! Line your baking pan with aluminum foil. Then place the roasted chicken on top of that, then cook according to these roasting times for roasted chicken.

What temperature should roasted chicken be cooked to? 

What temperature should roasted chicken be cooked to? Roasted Chicken needs to reach an internal temperature of 165°F. If your roasted chicken is not at 165°F after the cooking time in this roasted chicken recipe, put it back in the oven ( see above

INGREDIENTS:

Olive Oil-Roasted Chicken with Mediterranean Vegetables

4½-pound roasting chicken
-½ cup extra virgin olive oil
½ lemon
few sprigs of fresh thyme
1-pound small new potatoes
1-eggplant, cut into 1-inch cubes
1 red bell pepper, seeded and quartered
1 fennel bulb trimmed and quartered
8 large garlic cloves, unpeeled, coarse salt, and ground black pepper

SERVES 4