This is another dish that’s easy enough to throw together on a busy weeknight, yet pretty enough to make for dinner guests as well! I recently made this recipe when my parents were in town (with a big salad on the side), and the serving platter was completely empty by the end of dinner. I absolutely love meals that are so much easier to make than they appear. :)
Also, don’t forget to make overnight chicken stock in your slow cooker with the leftover bones! When I purchased an organic whole chicken from the grocery store for this recipe I asked the butcher to cut it into parts for me, which he did at no charge. I was also left with some parts that we don’t typically eat so I threw those in the slow cooker (along with the cooked bones) for the stock as well.
So if you go this route, be sure you know what parts you are putting into the roasting pan before baking it. Your guests might be a little confused if you try to serve them roasted chicken back (eeek!). Okay, enough about that topic that frankly makes me a little uncomfortable!
Lemon Roasted Chicken and Cauliflower
This roasted chicken is another dish that's easy enough to throw together for a busy weeknight meal, yet pretty enough to make for dinner guests as well!
Ingredients
- 1 whole chicken, cut into parts – ask the butcher at the grocery store to cut it for you
- 1 head cauliflower, cut into florets with big stems removed
- 1 lemon, thinly sliced (with peel left on)
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon lemon pepper, sold in spice aisle
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 sprigs rosemary
- 1 cup water
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.
- In a large roasting pan arrange the raw chicken parts and cauliflower. Add the lemon slices and then sprinkle the entire dish with the garlic, lemon pepper, and salt. Drizzle the olive oil over top and rest the two rosemary sprigs across the top.
- Pour 1 cup of water in the bottom of the roasting pan and bake until the chicken breast registers an internal temperature between 170 to 175 degrees with a quick read thermometer, about 30 minutes.
Recipe Notes
The chicken can be browned in a skillet on the stove prior to roasting, but is not necessary. I tried it both ways and while searing the chicken added a nice additional flavor it certainly is not an extra step I would want to deal with when short on time. The chicken pictured above was not browned in advance and the outcome was delicious.
We recommend organic ingredients when feasible.
Nutrition Facts
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Slow Cooker Recipe from Cook Smarts (+ special deal on meal plans!)
Delicious! This was super easy and lots of flavor.
One of my favorites.
I just saw this on my Facebook feed! Yum! For the 450 roast temperature – is that on convection? or regular roast? I have a new wolf oven I am learning to use and am also wondering if I have to convert Lisa’s recipes for convection mode or if I just follow as directed. Thanks!
Your regular oven setting – not convection. Enjoy!
Everyone needs to learn how to cut up a chicken! No need to have the butcher do it. One of the first things I was taught by my mother in the kitchen.
Can you do this recipe in the crock pot instead?
Hello. This should help: http://www.thekitchn.com/5-tips-for-converting-recipes-to-the-slow-cooker-189343
Where did this recipe go?
Hi Hannah. The recipe is there.
Made this tonight with great reviews from my husband and kids. My husband doesn’t really care for cauliflower but he ended up going back for thirds! The chicken turned out moist and juicy. I ended up spatchcocking a small chicken and then adding some chicken legs I had to get about 4.5 pounds worth of bone-in chicken. I also made my own lemon pepper because I didn’t have any on hand so I’m not sure how my homemade version compared to store bought but it was so good I think as long as I have lemons on hand I’ll just make my own again.
Thanks for an easy and delicious weeknight meal!
If you have it, add 1 cup of homemade chicken broth in place of the water for added flavor. Great recipe.
I love these super easy recipes. I have included your recipe in my March Real Food Meal Plan. Thanks for sharing!
Did in a cast iron Dutch oven I like mine a little more brown so I let it cooked an 1:30 min