Easy Roast Chicken Bake Thingy

There are some days when I practically sprint into the kitchen first thing in the morning, then have to be wrestled out again last thing at night. I’ll often be found in the nice, sunny spot at the kitchen table reading recipe books, or pottering about watering my herbs or baking something fattening. Today though, has not been a good day and the thought of making a roast dinner made me feel more ‘ugh’ than ‘wehay’. At my base level I’m a lazy cow and although I hesitate to call this a recipe exactly, it’s an easy way to get Sunday lunch on the table with very little effort (God I’m sounding all ‘Nigella Express’ – I’ll be pouting at the camera and licking my fingers next). I did cook a lemon drizzle cake for pudding, but that’s just because I’m greedy.

4 large chicken breasts
2 red onions
2 large parsnips/carrots/turnips/whatever
4 or 5 large baking potatoes
1 lemon
Couple of fat garlic cloves
Olive oil

Basically then, just peel the potatoes, parsnips and whatever other stuff you have lying around. Quarter the potatoes (or smaller if they’re enormous) and cut the other stuff into roughly the same sized chunks. Put them all in a large pan on the hob in some salted water and bring them to the boil. Meanwhile, get out a large baking tray and drizzle in a generous glug or two of oil before bunging in your chicken breasts, red onions, garlic cloves (don’t bother to peel them) and half the lemon (I used a whole one but the kids said it was too lemony). Leave this to one side until your veg has had time to parboil (about ten minutes), then throw it all in the baking dish, mixing it up with the chicken breasts, etc with a couple of wooden spoons.

Bung in the oven at 190 degrees (what’s that, gas 5?) for 30 to 40 minutes. Transfer the chicken and vegetables to a serving dish, then put the tray on the hob, adding a pint of stock and a sprinkling of flour. Whisk and bubble until your gravy is slightly thickened then serve with the chicken and vegetables. Oh and frozen peas if you can be bothered. Bribe children to wash up and retire to sofa with crossword and stupid dog.

No Responses to “Easy Roast Chicken Bake Thingy”

1. Sandra in Maryland says:

   January 7, 2008 at 8:06 pm

   Pretty good for an off day EM, my lot would be delighted with such fare. JUST noticed the new Bert pic up there, he’s a sweetie pie. One of your rare posts where you seem a bit dreary. Hope your Monday’s going much better. Warm thoughts from Maryland where the sun is blazing today, and we’re pretending it’s Spring already even though our snowiest month is not until March.
2. englishmuminireland says:

   January 7, 2008 at 8:51 pm

   Sandra: Yup, bit of an off day sweetie. Thanks for your warm thoughts – wish I could feel that sunshine!! xx
3. Wee Jen says:

   January 8, 2008 at 12:07 am

   It’s always good to have a few recipes up the sleeve for the ‘off days’. Then you don’t eat all the rubbish and feel worse.
4. englishmuminireland says:

   January 8, 2008 at 3:46 pm

   Wee one: ’tis true. I probably did half a packet of bourbons and the leftover Quality Street as well though. Ah well…. x