How to make roast chicken more interesting/exciting?

[FilterFrog]

DH has vetoed my posh pasta meal plan for tonight and asked to have roast chicken instead.
Having only just finished the Christmas lunch leftovers I can’t say I find this idea particularly exciting. However the chicken from the freezer has been defrosted so I guess there’s no going back now.
What can I do to make the meal a bit more ‘occasiony’?

Pop a black tie on it?

@100problems

Pop a black tie on it?

😂😂🤣

Sparklers.

Can you rub in some Moroccan spices and serve with cous cous and roasted veg?

Rub it with chipotle paste, and stuff it with lemons before roasting. Serve with roast cherry tomatoes, peppers, roast baby potatoes, chorizo, wilted rocket and feta.

Have a table runner that looks like a red carpet. Chicken gets carved at the top end.

Put dolly high heels on its stumpy little legs.

Have everyone take photos as you dish up, paparazzi style.

See if you can get someone from TOWIE to attend, or a Love Islander.

This is amazing:

thehappyfoodie.co.uk/recipes/whole-chicken-roasted-over-rice-with-cinnamon/

I do mine with garlic and fennel and some olive oil. Sides sone nice asparagus and mash is always good.

[quote mynameiscalypso]This is amazing:

thehappyfoodie.co.uk/recipes/whole-chicken-roasted-over-rice-with-cinnamon/[/quote]
That does sound nice! I usually stuff the chicken with a lemon and roast potatoes, one of Jamie's recipes. For a change instead of with potatoes I serve it with orzo with everything. Sorry link doesn't look like it's working but if you Google orzo with everything it comes up on the Epicurious website. Alternatively I do couscous with pine nuts, feta, lemon, coriander and rocket.

I agree with PP that the trick here is to move away from traditional British roast so it doesn't feel like Christmas all over again.

So Moroccan (as PP said) with couscous

Greek - spatchcocked and flavoured and served with Greek salads and dips.

British - but served with crusty bread and a tomato and mozzarella salad to make hot roast sandwiches. Bacon on top to keep it moist and go with the sandwiches.

Harissa chicken, served with a traybake of halloumi, small roasted potatoes, peppers, onions, courgettes etc.

As part of a buffet. Quiche, hot chicken, dips, crisps, bits.

That sort of thing.

For me it’s the sides that make it more of an event cauliflower cheese roasties parsnips stuffing Yorkies etc

I really like this recipe from Jamie Oliver. Really easy, and still a roast but a bit different too.

www.jamieoliver.com/recipes/chicken-recipes/roast-tikka-chicken/

I think if your dh wants roast chicken he probably means a traditional roast !
Garlic spuds and roasted veg might make it feel less Christmas Dinner

Paprika, chili flakes, garlic, pepper, salt as a dry rub for chicken, same spices on roasties and serve with roasted peppers and broccoli.

We mix Greek yoghurt with loads of spices like cumin, paprika, chilli, ceyenne etc and rub it all.over the chicken.

Do with naan, spicey veg and a yoghurt dip

I’d do it with lemon and orzo, probably some fennel

Rub some sumac mixed in olive oil on the skin and put some preserved lemons in and around it.

Pile grill pan with chopped potatoes and cauliflower. Place grill on the pan. Put chicken on the grill, smother with rhogan josh paste and oven cook for a couple of hours. It’s delicious. The potatoes and cauliflower as cooked with the juices from the chicken.

Did this the other week after a debate about boring roasts in our house.

I fancied a roast tonight...The Teen declared roast boring so...

Cumin Spiced Roast Chicken with pork and pistachios stuffing (BBCGF website)

Za'atar roast potatoes (just roasted as usual and sprinkled with seasoning halfway through)

Cauliflower and Cumin Fritters
Curried carrot mash with brown butter and quick-pickled chillies
French beans and mangetout with hazelnut and orange
(All from the Ottolenghi website)

Tbh I probably wouldn't bother with the cauli fritters if I did it again. The carrot mash was spectacular though!

I add lots of herbs, garlic and seasoning to some creme fraiche and coat the chicken in it before roasting, it’s delicious.

Sort of similar to @TremendouslyJolly, have you got some Boursin or other similar garlicy cheese? I love a roast chicken smeared in boursin!
www.olivemagazine.com/recipes/meat-and-poultry/homemade-boursin-roast-chicken/

Well ,I'll be the first to say it ...if DH wants roast chicken ,time for him to don his apron and google instructions and crack on .

@TremendouslyJolly

I add lots of herbs, garlic and seasoning to some creme fraiche and coat the chicken in it before roasting, it’s delicious.

Never tried this but it sounds great. Adding to list.

Diana Henry's A Bird in the Hand has a lot of recipes for roast chicken - vietnamese, spanish, with prunes, you can get a preview including quite a few recipes using the see inside feature on amazon:

www.amazon.co.uk/Bird-Hand-Chicken-recipes-every-ebook/dp/B00NT7YRBO/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?revisionId=74b3fb98&depth=1&_encoding=UTF8&format=1&asin=B00NT7YRBO&tag=mumsnetforu03-21&qid&sr

This “epic” salad is always a hit in our house. Easy, tasty and involves the best crutons of all time.