I was never a huge fan of chicken. I mean, it was always there, a reliable option on menus and in fridges, but it never excited me. It was usually dry, bland, and frankly, a bit boring. Then, a friend of mine, Sarah, invited me over for dinner. She mentioned she was trying out a new recipe for roasted chicken, and I, ever the polite guest, decided to give it a go.
Let me tell you, this wasn’t your average roasted chicken. From the moment I took a bite, I knew something was different. The chicken was incredibly juicy and flavorful, with a crispy skin that shattered satisfyingly with each bite. The stuffing was a delightful surprise, adding pops of color and texture that complemented the chicken perfectly. I was hooked.
Sarah, ever the generous friend, shared the recipe with me, and I knew I had to try it myself. It turns out, the secret lies in a combination of a flavorful mayonnaise glaze and a savory rice stuffing. The glaze infuses the chicken with a rich, creamy flavor, while the stuffing adds pops of color, texture, and extra moisture to keep the meat unbelievably succulent.
This recipe is not only delicious but also impressive enough for a special occasion. Plus, it’s surprisingly easy to make! So, ditch the delivery menus and the bland, store-bought chickens, and try this recipe. It might just change the way you think about chicken forever.
How to Make the Juiciest Chicken
Forget everything you thought you knew about cooking chicken! This recipe takes a whole bird to new heights of juicy tenderness, surpassing even the allure of grilled chicken.
The secret lies in a flavorful mayonnaise glaze and a savory rice stuffing. The glaze infuses the chicken with a rich, creamy flavor, while the stuffing adds pops of color, texture, and extra moisture to keep the meat unbelievably succulent.
This recipe is not only delicious but also impressive enough for a special occasion.
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- 1 whole chicken (around 3-4 lbs)
- 1 tbsp salt
- 1 tbsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp turmeric
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp sweet paprika
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 yellow bell pepper, chopped
- 2 tomatoes, chopped
- 3 tbsp garlic, minced
- ½ cup chopped parsley
For the Rice Filling:
- 11 oz rice, rinsed
- 1 carrot, diced
- 1 zucchini, diced
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 14 fl oz cooking cream
For the Mayonnaise Glaze:
- 7 oz mayonnaise
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp sweet paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp dried dill
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Prep the Chicken: Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Pat the chicken dry and season generously with all the spices: salt, pepper, turmeric, garlic powder, and paprika. Set it aside for the flavors to meld.
- Make the Filling: In a large bowl, combine the rinsed rice, diced carrot and zucchini, salt, pepper, and cooking cream. Mix everything well to ensure even distribution of flavors.
- Stuff the Chicken: Here comes the fun part! Carefully loosen the skin of the chicken breast by gently inserting your fingers between the skin and flesh. Create a pocket without tearing the skin. Gently stuff the rice mixture into the pocket and cavity, pushing it towards the drumsticks for even cooking.
- Arrange the Veggies: In a roasting pan, spread the chopped onion, bell pepper, and tomatoes to create a flavorful bed for the chicken. Nest the stuffed chicken comfortably on top of the vegetables.
- Glaze and Roast: Now, for the magic touch! In a separate bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, lemon juice, paprika, garlic powder, salt, dried dill, onion powder, and black pepper. This creamy concoction will be your flavorful glaze. Brush the chicken generously with the glaze, ensuring it coats all sides.
- Time to Roast: Place the pan in the preheated oven and roast the chicken for 1 hour. Basting is key here! Every 15 minutes, baste the chicken with the pan drippings to keep it moist and prevent drying out.
- Rest and Enjoy: Once the hour is up, remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for 10 minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, resulting in an even more flavorful and tender chicken.
- Carve and Serve: Carve the rested chicken and serve it alongside the roasted vegetables and the flavorful rice stuffing. You’ve just created a restaurant-worthy meal that’s sure to impress your family and friends!
Tips
- For extra crispy skin, crank up the oven temperature to 400°F (200°C) for the last 10 minutes of roasting.
- If you don’t have dried dill, you can substitute it with fresh dill (use about 1 tablespoon).
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Enjoy this delicious and unique way to cook chicken! It might just become your new favorite method.