Having scoured t'internet and failed to find a pot-roast chicken recipe that appealed I invented the following. Disclaimer, someone probably beat me to it - not the most original cook out there -but still....
1 typical oven-ready chicken 3-4lbs
olive oil
3 rashers thick cut smoky bacon, chopped
2 onions, peeled and chopped
2 cloves garlic, peeled and chopped
1 trimmed celery heart, chopped
4oz green lentils, dry weight
bunch fresh parsley, chopped
salt and plenty of pepper
1 can cannellini beans, rinsed and drained.
hot water
- Preheat oven to about 160C (fan) 170-180C (convection) Gas 4
- Heat a large, heavy casserole dish on the hob and add a little olive oil
- Rub salt and pepper into the skin of your chicken and fry it in the casserole dish on all sides until it has taken on a little colour all over
- Remove the chicken to a plate and add the bacon and vegetables to the remaining oil. Stir and fry over a low heat until they start to take on a little colour. Remove the pot from the hob
- Add the green lentils, half the parsley and enough hot water to just cover. Season with plenty of pepper.
- Place the browned chicken on top of everything, put on the casserole lid and bake for about 1 hour 30.
- When the time is up, carefully remove the chicken to a warm dish, tipping it up & allowing any juices from the cavity to drain into the broth. Cover with foil and reserve
- Heat the casserole contents on the hob and add the drained cannellini beans. Check the seasoning
- Serve in a wide soup dish... a ladle of the broth with some of the chicken meat sliced or shredded up on top and extra parsley. A few steamed leeks go really well.
Serves 6 easily. Would probably work really well in a slow cooker with less liquid.