Midweek Magic: Honey Lemon Roasted Chicken
Welcome back, my witchy lovelies, to another installment of Midweek Magic!
This time around, we are creating a delicious, economical and easy one pan wonder: A whole roasted chicken and seasonal root vegetables finished with a pan sauce that marries the sweetness of honey with the brightness of lemon and fresh herbs. This recipe is extra exciting because not only can you roll this during the week, but it will serve you well for dinner parties and sabbats too.
The Basics
Before we get into the nitty gritty of this recipe, I wanted to address what could be some worries some might have when it comes to roasting a whole chicken. I know that this can be a daunting undertaking, especially if you are new to it, so below I’ve laid out some basics to roasting whole and why you’d want to.
The Why’s
Economy: If you go into most any market, you will find many options when it comes to purchasing meats to cook; a good portion of them are already cut to be more convenient to us. These are a very helpful option when you are in a pinch, however we generally pay a bit extra for this convenience. Whole meats, especially whole poultry, are often several dollars less per pound than the already prepared varieties. Whether you are cooking for a crowd or looking to have leftovers to help you prep for the week ahead, cooking whole is a wonderful way to save a bit of money. Furthermore, our next blog post will be an in depth look on how to transform the left over bones from meals such as this one and create your very own delicious stocks, which are a staple in any kitchen.
Versatility: One of the perks to roasting whole meats is the amount of different variety and usages you can get out of one single meal. In the case of a whole chicken like we are making today or larger cuts of beef such as prime rib or whole tenderloin, you can satisfy a group without having to buy several cuts of meat to do so. The options are just as limitless flavor-wise, including options such as creating a stuffing for your dish or sauces or gravies using the natural juices from the meats.
Ease: One of the best part of creating meals like this is how easy they can be. Since whole meats generally take longer to cook, they are effectively prep and wait, with the occasional check in. They are perfect for when you have other things to get done around the house after work or to throw in the oven mid afternoon while working from home. You can even have this cooking while you entertain since it only requires you to come back to the kitchen a couple of times; your guests are sure to enjoy the scent of it roasting too!
Intention: Finally and perhaps most importantly, dishes like this are a powerful tool in your magickal kitchen arsenal because you have so many opportunities to imbue your food with extra intention. Whether it be through a stuffing or a sauce as I previously spoke on, or through infusion of herbs or spices into the meat directly, you have many avenues to weave spellwork into your cooking. I also personally hold the belief that the longer, slower roasting of foods helps charge your spellwork even further.
The How’s
Good Quality Meats: One of the best ways to ensure success when cooking whole meats (or really any meat dish for that matter) is to get a good quality product. I highly advocate for purchasing ethically sourced meats whenever you can; even better if those sources are local to your area.
The Right Pan: You are going to want to make sure you have a nice, wide, deep pan when looking to successfully roast whole meats. If you don’t already have one that works, you can absolutely grab a disposable one from your local supermarket; just be sure it’s a nice sturdy one! I also would advise in getting some heavy duty aluminum foil to provide a cover for your pan to help prevent burning.
Season Liberally : With larger pieces of meat, you will want to be extra sure to season accordingly. You might feel like it is too much, but you are looking for the flavor of your seasonings to permeate the dish as much as possible. Also, any place that you can infuse flavor into the meat, definitely take the opportunity to do so!
Temperature and Time: The most important thing when cooking larger pieces of meat is to watch your time and temperature. Roasting is a relatively low and slow cooking process and ensure that your meal cooks properly you will need to get a feel for your oven and how it heats and cooks food. While some store bought meats will have a small pop up “thermometer” that comes with them, I recommend investing in a meat thermometer as these are far more accurate and will ensure your and your family’s safety. For an official guide to safe cooking temperatures for all types of meats, please visit this link: USDA Meat Temperature Guide.
The Intentions
My main goal with this recipe was to infuse the spirit of comfort into a easy, tasty meal; not just the piggyback on idea of comfort food, but to really imbue this dish with a warmth and sense of joy. Lately, I feel like the general consensus from most people I know and hear from is a sense of heaviness and darkness weighing upon us all. Cosmically we have a lot of pressure exerted upon us all right now and that paired with the societal stresses, I knew that I wanted to create something to bring some light back into our lives.
The two main flavors I chose to work with, honey and lemon, are blended together in this dish with the intent to attract happiness and provide purifying and cleansing energies. To compliment these intentions and for an additional a boost of flavor, I also incorporated in a bouquet of fresh herbs which included thyme, sage, and rosemary; all great herbs for purification and protection spellwork.
Furthermore, I chose to pair the chicken with several types of root vegetables; beyond being a wonderful seasonal side dish choice, the deep, grounding energy of these vegetables will assist in keeping us all firmly planted in the present. Overall, my intent with this dish is for it to feel like a big hug; I hope that if you try this one out at home, that you enjoy all of the scents and flavors and that it brings you and your family comfort and warmth.
What are some of your go to ways to find comfort in the hard times? We’d love to hear about it!
Honey Lemon Roasted Chicken
Ingredients
- 5-7 lbs. raw whole roasting chicken (healing, protection)
- 1 medium lemon (cleansing, purification)
- 1 small onion (banishing negative energies)
- 1 small head garlic, cut in half (promotes health and protection)
- 3 springs fresh thyme (purification, healing)
- 3 springs fresh rosemary (protection, rest)
- 3 springs fresh sage (cleansing, wisdom)
- 3 Tbsp sea salt (purification)
- 3 Tbsp black pepper (protection, strength)
- 3 Tbsp garlic powder (health)
- 1 lb. mini potatoes, whole (energy storage)
- 1/2 lb carrots, peeled and cut in large pieces (protection)
- 1 onion, cut into large wedges (banishing negative energies)
- 1 medium acorn squash, cut into large slices (health, prosperity)
- 1/2 cup honey (happiness, healing)
- 1/3 cup lemon juice (cleansing, purification)
- 1/2 cup olive oil (seeing the beauty around you, health)
- 2 tsp lemon zest (brightness)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- In a large roasting pan, place your whole chicken and evenly season both sides and inner cavity with 2 Tbsp each salt, black, and garlic powder.
- Cut 1 of the small onions and the lemon in half or quarters and place in the cavity of the chicken, along with the head of garlic and the fresh herbs.
- Place the root vegetables evenly around the chicken in the roasting dish.
- Blend together the honey, lemon juice, olive oil, and lemon zest in a small bowl and pour over the chicken and vegetables.
- Sprinkle the remaining salt, pepper, and garlic powder over the vegetables and toss with clean hands to coat in the seasoning and vinaigrette.
- Cover pan loosely with aluminum foil and place in the preheated oven for 1 hour
- After 1 hour has elapsed, remove the foil and use a brush or spoon to baste the chicken and gently mix the vegetables. Replace the foil back on to the pan and cook for another hour.
- At the two hour mark, remove the foil completely and carefully turn the chicken over to the other side to promote even cooking and mix your vegetables again to ensure they don't stick to your pan. Allow the chicken to cook on this side uncovered for 15 minutes, then carefully turn it to the other side again.
- Allow the chicken to crisp until it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F. Please note that the skin will darken significantly due to the honey. If you are concerned about the it darkening too quickly, keep the foil on the chicken until this last step.
- Once the correct temperature has been achieved, remove the chicken and vegetables from the oven and allow to rest for 10 minutes.
- Once cooled, you may carve the chicken for enough servings for 4-6 people, dependent on the starting weight of your chicken. While the roasted vegetables are a wonderful accompaniment on their own, you can also enjoy this dish by serving it with a small salad or sautéed greens.
Notes
- Be sure to keep the bones from the chicken as they make for a wonderful stock base!
- The cooking time on this dish is quite variable dependent on the size of your chicken and the way your oven heats; please be sure to monitor the internal temperature closely and adjust your cooking times accordingly.
