Love is complicated, but marriage is the hardest thing you will ever do. Could the secrets of a lasting union actually lie in a simple roast chicken? According to chef Dean Maupin at the Clifton Inn in Charlottesville, Virginia, his classic recipe has seen several couples off to a good start during their first week at home.
It all started with Maupin’s “Honeymooners” cooking class, an activity that the Clifton Inn offers newlywed guests want to make the most of their new adventure in life by raising the heat [literally and figuratively] in the kitchen. Not before long, Maupin would receive special requests for his classic roasted chicken. What started out as a recipe that would help a coupleduring the first week soon became the glue that would keep everything cool and collected.
Delicious right out of the oven, roast chicken also makes for incredible leftovers in pastas, rice, salads, and even soups. Try chef Dean Maupin’s recipe at home tonight and see for yourself the power of not only homemade chicken, but a family dinner together.
Classic Roasted Chicken
Executive Chef, Dean Maupin
Clifton Inn
Serves 3-4
Ingredients
1 fresh chicken, 3lbs.
.5 cup Spanish onion, chopped
.5 cup carrot, diced
2 sprigs fresh thyme
.5 cup Extra virgin olive oil
Salt and pepper, to taste
Procedure
Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees F. Rinse chicken with cold water and pat dry. Stuff the cavity with the onion, carrot and thyme. Place stuffed chicken into a roasting pan and rub with the olive oil, salt, and pepper. Place the roasting pan in the pre-heated oven and roast for 1-1.5 hours or until you can place a thermometer deep into the thigh and it reads 165 degrees F. Remove the chicken from the oven and allow to rest for 15 minutes. Loosely cover with foil and set aside until ready to serve.