Healthier Juicy Roasted Chicken

For a healthier version of juicy roasted chicken, we use butter instead of margarine, omit powder seasoning, and include vegetables in the roasting process.

Original recipe makes 6 servings

Ingredients

1 1/4 pounds winter squash, peeled, seeded and cut into chunks
1 pound fingerling potatoes, split lengthwise
1/2 pound carrots, split lengthwise and cut into 2-inch pieces
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
salt and ground black pepper to taste
1 (3 pound) whole chicken, giblets removed
1/2 cup butter, divided
1 stalk celery, leaves removed

PREP

20 mins
COOK

1 hr
READY IN

1 hr 30 mins

Directions

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (218 degrees C).
Toss squash, potatoes, carrots, olive oil, salt, and pepper in a roasting pan. Spread into a single layer and place a V-rack on top. Season chicken generously inside and out with salt and pepper. Place 1 tablespoon butter in the chicken cavity. Arrange dollops of remaining butter between skin and flesh of breast meat. Cut celery into 3 or 4 pieces and place in cavity of chicken.
Bake in preheated oven for 30 minutes. Turn heat down to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) and continue baking until no longer pink at the bone and juices run clear, about 30 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh, near the bone should read 165 degrees F (74 degrees C). Remove the chicken from the oven, cover with a doubled sheet of aluminum foil, and allow to rest in a warm area for 10 minutes before slicing.