Crazy Foodie Stunts: Simple Brined Roast Chicken with Herbs and Garlic for a Five Ingredient or Less #SundaySupper

Simple Brined Roast Chicken with Herbs and Garlic for a Five Ingredient or Less #SundaySupper

I have a bit of déjà vu here...You might remember about a year ago I prepared a salad for a #SundaySupper theme of Five Ingredients or Less. Well, the challenge has returned this week (this time hosted by T.R. of Gluten Free Crumbley) and I thought I'd give it a second shot.

Inspiration Behind the Dish

I still maintain that this challenge would be great on Top Chef either as a Quickfire Challenge or a Last Chance Kitchen dish. The rules specify that water, salt, pepper and cooking oil do not count towards the five ingredients. If memory serves me correctly, I relied upon a whole bunch of store-bought ingredients but didn't use any of the "freebee" ingredients. This time around, I've done a complete 180, using all of my freebees in addition to preparing a dish from scratch.

Dish Details

I understand that restaurants, during the process of hiring a head chef, will request each candidate to roast a whole chicken and I couldn't think of a more flavorful way to prepare one given the constraints. Other than a process of roasting a chicken (oven temperature and cooking time) I borrowed from Melissa d'Arabian, this is a Crazy Foodie Stunts original.

Ingredients

1 cup kosher salt plus more for seasoning
1 cup sugar
1 gallon water
1 4-to-5 pound whole chicken
3 to 4 cloves, smashed with the side of a knife
2 to 3 sprigs fresh rosemary
2 to 3 sprigs fresh sage
Freshly ground black pepper
1 to 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

Method

1. Brine the chicken. Remove the giblets from the cavity of the chicken and place in a container that holds at least 8 quarts (I use a stockpot). In a separate large bowl, combine the water, 1 cup salt and sugar and stir until dissolved. Pour the season water (or brine) over the chicken, and if necessary weigh the chicken down with a bowl or salad size plate to fully submerge the chicken. Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours to overnight.

2. Roast the chicken. Preheat the oven to 425° Fahrenheit. Remove the chicken from the brine, then discard the brine. Pat the inside and outside of the chicken dry with paper towels, then season the cavity with salt and pepper. Place the herbs and garlic into the cavity, then drizzle about 1 tablespoon (or more, as needed) olive oil over the outside of the bird on both sides and rub it in to coat it evenly. Truss the chicken in the manner described here, then put the bird on a rack in a roasting pan and roast in the oven until the internal temperature in the deepest part of the thigh (but not touching the bone) reaches 175° Fahrenheit, approximately 60 minutes. Remove the roasting pan from the oven and let the chicken rest for 10 to 15 minutes before carving.

Final Thoughts

I prepared this chicken on a Sunday. I dropped it into the brine at about 10am and removed it about 7 hours later once I was finished with #SundaySupper chat. It was actually one of the more flavorful chickens I've roasted, although it wasn't one of the more prettier pictures I've taken of my food. A whole chicken isn't commonly served in a restaurant setting simply due to the portion size but it makes for a great comfort food at home. If you have never brined your chickens in the past, I urge you to take the extra time to do so. You will be greatly rewarded.

Are you hungry but your pantry bare? Then review the other #SundaySupper dishes that have been prepared using minimal ingredients:

Drinks

2 Ingredient Orange Juice Frosty Drink by The Educators' Spin On It
Five Ingredient Sangria by Our Good Life
Pina Colada Summer Smoothie by Cosmopolitan Cornbread

Appetizers and Snacks

5-Ingredient Creamy Avocado Dressing by Take A Bite Out of Boca
Crescent Jalapeno Poppers by The Weekend Gourmet
Crockpot Chicken Chili Dip by The Crumby Cupcake
Gluten Free Peach Salsa by Gluten Free Crumbley
Grilled Zucchini and Goat Cheese Roll Ups by Food Done Light
Marinated Feta Tomato Skewers by Noshing with the Nolands
Roasted Chili-Lime Peanuts by Casa de Crews
Strawberry Coconut Soup with Mint by The Wimpy Vegetarian

Main Dish

3 Ingredient Steak Marinade by MealDiva
Baked Fajita Chicken by Recipes Food and Cooking
Crab Pasta by Caroline's Cooking
Grilled Portobello Mushrooms by Palatable Pastime
Healthy Chocolate Protein Pancakes by Momma's Meals
Homemade Porcini Almond Pasta by The Joyful Foodie
Abruzzo Style Cannellini Beans with Fennel & Chicken by Delaware Girl Eats
Nutella BLT Sandwich by Brunch with Joy
Salmon in Puff Pastry by Sew You Think You Can Cook
Simple Brined Roast Chicken with Herbs and Garlic by Crazy Foodie Stunts
Simple Grilled Tilapia by Cooking Chat
Simple Summer Shrimp and Asparagus by eating in instead
Skirt Steak and Grilled Potatoes for a Crowd by Family Foodie
Slow Cooker Teriyaki Chicken by Nosh My Way
Slowcooker Ravioli Lasagne by Jane's Adventures in Dinner

Side Dish

Brazilian Black Beans by Curious Cuisiniere
Korean Seasoned Dried Squid (Ojingeochae muchim) by kimchi MOM
Mashed Cauliflower with Parmesan by Hezzi-D's Books and Cooks
Sauerkraut and Apple Salad by Cindy's Recipes and Writings
Sesame Lime Edamame by Magnolia Days
Southern Style Squash Casserole by Recipe for Perfection
Tomato, Avocado and Bacon Salad by Peanut Butter and Peppers

Desserts

Apple Drop Candy by What Smells So Good?
Chocolate Toffee Cookies by NinjaBaker.com
Coconut White Chocolate Truffles by That Skinny Chick Can Bake
Easy No Churn Peach Frozen Yogurt by Bobbi's Kozy Kitchen
Fluffernutter Cookies by Pies and Plots
Magic Pudding Dessert by Grumpy's Honeybunch
No-Churn Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream Cake by Cupcakes & Kale Chips
Rhubarb Crumble by A Day in the Life on the Farm
Creamy Coconut, Roasted Strawberry Chocolate Chip Popsicles by Simply Health Family
Recipe Substitution Tips by Sunday Supper

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