Bake a whole chicken  Ingredients:       1 Whole Chicken    1/2 to 1 stick Butter (or substitute olive oil)       1 teaspoon salt    1 teaspoon pepper       1 teaspoon onion powder    1 meat thermometer

Preparation:

1. Preheat your oven to 350 F. Wash your chicken with cool water. Make sure all giblets are removed. Pat the chicken dry and put it in a roasting pan. 2. Melt the butter in the microwave. Pour approximately 2/3 of the melted butter over the chicken. Pour the rest of the melted butter inside the chicken. 3. Sprinkle the whole chicken liberally the pepper, salt, and onion powder on the inside. Do the same on the outside of the chicken. 4. Bake the chicken for approximately 1 and 1/2 hours. After 1 and 1/2 hours, check the chicken's internal temperature by sticking the meat thermometer into the chicken breast to make sure it reaches at least 180 degrees. If it is not 180 degrees, continue cooking until it reaches the correct temperature. Avoid allowing the thermometer to touch the chicken bone because it will give you a false reading. 5. Once the chicken has finished cooking, remove it from the oven and let it "rest" for at least 15 minutes. After resting, cut the chicken as usual and top with a little of the pan drippings. Read more: How to Bake a Whole Chicken | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_4707820_bake-whole-chicken.html#ixzz2LC5YSba6 To spice up the chicken even more, consider adding: Dried sage, rosemary and/or thyme. Lay a piece of plastic wrap over the chicken and set it in the refrigerator for several hours or overnight. This allows the seasoning to permeate the chicken. Other delicious options: Remove the chicken from the refrigerator and place the celery, onion, garlic and lemon in the cavity of the bird. This helps keep the bird moist and adds additional flavor. Extra moist and juicy: Place the chicken on a rack in a large casserole dish or roasting pan. Pour 1/2 inch of water, broth or white wine in the bottom of the pan. This adds moisture to keep your bird from drying out. Something new to try: In a Slow Cooker Spray the inside of a slow cooker, such as a Crock-Pot, with nonstick spray. Place the whole chicken, stuffed or unstuffed into the cooker. Season if desired. Turn the cooker on and let the chicken bake for 4 to 6 hours on low. Check the temperature after 4 hours to determine how much more time, if any, is needed to reach 180 degrees. You can also surround the chicken with vegetables, such as potatoes and carrots, and have a complete meal.

Comments:

If you like a brown skin, turn up the heat to 450 degrees for the last 10 minutes of baking. Tip: Cover the chicken loosely with aluminum foil if it browns too quickly.

Categories:  Baking, Chicken, Main Course

Estimated preparation time:  90 min.

Language:  English

Shared by:  robertdknight    2013/02/17