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Simple Roast Chicken with Herbed Butter and a Quick Pan Gravy
 
recipe image
Prep Time: 20 Minutes
Cook Time: 55 Minutes
Ready In: 75 Minutes
Servings: 4
Ingredients:
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
2 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon chopped fresh soft herbs, such as tarragon, chives, and parsley
2 teaspoons essence, recipe follows
1 teaspoon minced garlic, plus 1 whole clove, smashed
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/4 plus 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 (3 to 4 pound) chicken
1 onion, thickly sliced
1 rib celery, cut into 1/2-inch pieces on the diagonal
1 carrot, cut into 1/2-inch dice
1 bay leaf
2 cups chicken broth
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/2 cup dry white wine
2 1/2 tablespoons paprika
2 tablespoons salt
2 tablespoons garlic powder
1 tablespoon black pepper
1 tablespoon onion powder
1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
1 tablespoon dried oregano
1 tablespoon dried thyme
Directions:
1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
2. In a small bowl, combine the butter, 2 tablespoons of the herbs, 1 teaspoon of the Essence, minced garlic, 1/2 teaspoon of the salt, 1/8 teaspoon of the pepper, and lemon juice and stir to blend well. Gently loosen the skin covering the breast of the chicken on both sides and, working carefully, divide 4 tablespoons of the butter evenly between the skin and the flesh on the 2 sides of the breast, spreading it evenly over the breast halves. Rub the remaining butter evenly over the outside of the chicken, and season the chicken well inside and out with remaining teaspoon of salt, remaining 1/4 teaspoon of the pepper, and remaining teaspoon of Essence. Set aside.
3. Add the onion, celery, carrot, bay leaf, and whole smashed garlic clove to a shallow roasting pan and place the chicken on top of the vegetable pieces. Add 1 cup of the chicken broth and 1 cup of water to the roasting pan. Place in the oven and bake until golden brown, about 30 minutes. Reduce the heat to 375 degrees F and continue to bake until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the deep portion of the thigh registers 160 degrees F, about 15 minutes longer.
4. Remove the chicken from the oven and transfer to a platter, loosely covered, while you make the sauce.
5. Pour the accumulated pan drippings and vegetables into a heatproof bowl. Discard bay leaf. Using a spoon, carefully skim off as much fat from the drippings as possible. Reserve 2 tablespoons of the rendered chicken fat and discard the remaining fat or reserve for another purpose. In a small bowl, add the flour to the fat and stir until mixture forms a smooth paste. Set aside. Place the roasting pan over a burner on the stovetop and add the wine. Cook until reduced by about half, stirring to release any browned bits from the bottom or sides of the roasting pan. Add the remaining chicken broth and the skimmed drippings (with vegetables) and bring to a boil. Little by little, whisk the flour mixture into the hot liquid in the roasting pan, and cook until sauce thickens and any floury taste is gone, about 10 minutes. Add the remaining teaspoon of chopped fresh herbs, taste, and reseason if necessary. Strain through a fine mesh sieve if desired, or serve the sauce as is. Carve the chicken into serving pieces and serve with the hot gravy.
6. Emeril's ESSENCE Creole Seasoning (also referred to as Bayou Blast):Emeril's ESSENCE Creole Seasoning (also referred to as Bayou Blast):
7. Combine all ingredients thoroughly.
8. Yield: 2/3 cup
9. Recipe from New New Orleans Cooking , by Emeril Lagasse and Jessie Tirsch
10. Published by William Morrow, 1993.
By RecipeOfHealth.com