Roasted Oregano/Lemon Chicken with Croutons
Why I Love This Recipe
Ingredients You'll Need
1 (4 to 5-pound) roasting chicken
1 large yellow onion, sliced
olive oil
Kosher salt
2 Tbs dried oregano
Freshly ground black pepper
2 lemons, quartered
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
6 cups (3/4-inch) bread cubes (1 baguette)
Directions
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
Take the giblets out of the chicken and wash it inside and out. Toss the onion with a little olive oil in a small roasting pan. Place the chicken on top and sprinkle the inside of the cavity with salt and pepper. Place the lemons inside the chicken. Pat the outside of the chicken dry with paper towels, brush it with the melted butter, and sprinkle with salt and pepper and the oregano. Tie the legs together with kitchen string and tuck the wing tips under the body of the chicken.
Roast for 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 hours, or until the juices run clear when you cut between the leg and the thigh. Cover with foil and allow to sit at room temperature for 15 minutes. (Don’t worry about the burnt onions, it’s delicious.)
Meanwhile, in a large saute pan heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil until very hot. Lower the heat to medium-low and saute the bread cubes, tossing frequently, until nicely browned, 8 to 10 minutes. Add more olive oil, as needed, and sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Place the croutons on a serving platter. Slice the chicken and place it, plus all the pan juices, over the croutons. Sprinkle with salt and serve warm.