Lemon Garlic Roast Chicken

A classic Sunday night dinner is roast chicken. We eat chicken one to two times per week because it's an easy and affordable way to get a good quality source of protein. It's also so versatile because there are many ways to cook chicken, from Dijon Marmalade Chicken to Orange Chicken but roasting a whole chicken is simply the best because of the many things you can do with it.

A roast chicken is definitely my favourite way to enjoy chicken because it's the easiest (in my opinion), comforting and always juicy – assuming you don't roast it too long!

When I say it's easy, I mean EASY! All you have to do is chop some vegetables and season your chicken nicely and throw it in the oven! I just set it at 350F (180C) and let it work its magic. I typically buy a chicken that weighs around 2kg because that serves my family of three, plus some leftovers. Depending on the size of your chicken, it will take around an hour or longer to cook. As I mentioned in my recipe, you want the internal temperature of the chicken to be 165F. 

My preference when buying chicken is certified organic.

The animal welfare standards for certified organic in Canada are higher than conventional (including double the barn space) and many farmers go beyond the basic standard organic requirements. Chickens must have access to sunlight, fresh air and outdoor pastures. Additionally, organic farmers cannot feed their chickens any GMO foods or any animal by-products. The food they are given must also not be contaminated with pesticides or herbicides. Most importantly, use of antibiotics is prohibited.

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One of the most significant ways that people often consume pesticides is from eating animal foods. So if you want to avoid pesticides (which I recommend you do as much as possibl), then choosing organic when consuming animal foods is essential.

Many people feel confident buying "steroid/hormone-free" but this claim is marketing rubbish. In Canada, hormones are not allowed in chickens. As for antibiotic-free, there are laws around this claim in Canada but you can read more here. If you cannot afford certified organic then at the bare minimum look for "antibiotic-free". The other option is to buy directly from a farmer you know and trust. The best way to do this is to shop at a farmers market. 

• High protein content: 100g contains a whopping 18g of protein! 100g is about the size of the palm of an average adult's hand and the thickness of a deck of cards.
• Rich source of vitamins and minerals including: calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, vitamin C, D, E, K as well as B-complex vitamins including B12 and folate. 
• Helps fight the common cold: This is why chicken noodle soup is my go-to! It contains a wide range of immune-boosting nutrients; protein being one of them, because it's responsible for making antibodies that fight infection. I often make this soup but with chicken instead. It's delicious and I always make my own broth. 

Download Natural Ways to Boost Immunity

I highly recommend making the lemon garlic ghee or butter on top because it's delicious! It helps the skin crisp up nicely and talk about mega-watt delicious potatoes and carrots! But if you want to skip that step, just season with salt and pepper – easy peasy!

Now you're probably wondering what to enjoy this delicious Lemon Garlic Roast Chicken with. As always, I've got plenty of yummy ideas for you! 

After you've enjoyed your chicken, don't toss the carcass out. Be sure to make bone broth for future soups or purely to sip on for the immune-boosting benefits.

Have a joyous week!

Joy xo