Roast Chicken with Mashed Potatoes
By Jenny & Rosie
Serves 4-6
Ingredients
4-5 lb (2-2.5 kg) Whole chicken (or 6-8 drumsticks or thighs, about 1 kg)
2 tsp (10 mL) Salt
2 lb (907 g) Potatoes, peeled and cut in 1-inch pieces
2 Tbsp (30 mL) Butter
1 Cup (250 mL) Milk
1 ½ tsp (7 mL) Salt
2 Tbsp (30 mL) Flour
¼ tsp (1 mL) Dried thyme or poultry seasoning
⅛ tsp (0.5 mL) Ground black pepper
½ Cup (125 mL) Water
Directions
Note: Wash all produce well.
The night before roasting the chicken, sprinkle 2 tsp (10 mL) salt over the chicken pieces or whole chicken and toss or rub to coat. Refrigerate overnight.
Preheat the oven to 400°F (200℃). If cooking a whole chicken, cook for 20 minutes per pound until it reaches an internal temperature of 180℉ (82℃). Let sit until cool enough to handle, then strip the meat from the bones and slice into serving pieces. Pour the drippings from the pan into a fat separator or glass measuring cup. Reserve bones and skin for making broth for future gravies or soups. If using chicken pieces, lay the chicken pieces skin side up on a large baking sheet. Bake the chicken for an hour, until the skin is golden and crisp and internal temperature measures 165℉ (75℃).
Meanwhile, make the mashed potatoes. Place the potatoes in a large pot, add 2 tsp salt and enough water to cover the potatoes. Cover and bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to medium. Cook until potatoes are tender, about 20 minutes.
Drain the potatoes and return to the pot. Add butter and milk, and mash. Add salt to taste. Keep warm in the pot while you make the gravy.
To make gravy, carefully remove as much fat as possible from the chicken juices and discard. Pour the drippings into a sauce pan and bring to a boil. In a bowl, whisk together flour with ½ Cup water until smooth. Add to the sauce pan and cook until thickened, stirring constantly. Add the pepper and poultry seasoning or thyme. If the gravy is too thick, add water to thin. If it’s too thin, boil it until it reduces to the proper consistency.
Serve chicken with mashed potatoes, gravy and a side of your favourite cooked or raw vegetables.
