Garlic-Prego Roasted Chicken

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Description:
Garlic-Prego Roasted Chicken is a flavorful and succulent dish that combines the robust taste of garlic with the rich flavors of Prego pasta sauce. This simple yet delicious recipe results in a tender, juicy chicken infused with savory herbs and spices, making it perfect for a family dinner or special occasion. Serve it with roasted vegetables or a side salad for a complete meal!

Ingredients:

  • Whole chicken: 4-5 lbs (1.8-2.3 kg)
  • Olive oil: ¼ cup (60 ml)
  • Garlic cloves (minced): 6-8 cloves
  • Prego pasta sauce (or your favorite marinara sauce): 1 cup (240 ml)
  • Fresh rosemary (chopped): 1 tbsp (or 1 tsp dried)
  • Fresh thyme (chopped): 1 tbsp (or 1 tsp dried)
  • Salt: 1 tsp
  • Black pepper: ½ tsp
  • Lemon (cut into wedges): 1
  • Onion (quartered): 1 medium (optional, for stuffing)
  • Carrots and potatoes (cut into chunks, optional, for roasting)

Instructions:

  1. Preheat the oven:
    Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Prepare the chicken:
    Rinse the whole chicken under cold water and pat it dry with paper towels. Place it in a roasting pan.
  3. Make the garlic mixture:
    In a small bowl, combine the olive oil, minced garlic, chopped rosemary, chopped thyme, salt, and pepper. Mix until well combined.
  4. Season the chicken:
    Rub the garlic mixture all over the chicken, making sure to coat it thoroughly. If using, stuff the cavity with lemon wedges and quartered onion for added flavor.
  5. Add the sauce:
    Pour the Prego pasta sauce over the chicken, making sure it’s well coated. You can also drizzle some sauce inside the cavity.
  6. Add vegetables (optional):
    If using, arrange the chopped carrots and potatoes around the chicken in the roasting pan.
  7. Roast the chicken:
    Roast the chicken in the preheated oven for about 1 hour and 15 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C) in the thickest part of the thigh. Baste the chicken with the pan juices every 30 minutes to keep it moist.
  8. Rest the chicken:
    Once cooked, remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for about 10-15 minutes before carving. This allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring a moist chicken.
  9. Serve:
    Carve the chicken and serve it with the roasted vegetables and any remaining sauce from the pan. Enjoy your flavorful Garlic-Prego Roasted Chicken!

Tips for Success:

  • Seasoning: Feel free to add your favorite herbs or spices to the garlic mixture for extra flavor.
  • Basting: Basting the chicken regularly will help keep it moist and flavorful.
  • Cooking time: Cooking times may vary depending on the size of the chicken, so use a meat thermometer for best results.

Recommendations:

  • Side dishes: This chicken pairs well with rice, pasta, or a fresh salad.
  • Leftovers: Use leftover chicken in salads, sandwiches, or pasta dishes for a quick meal.
  • Marinating: For extra flavor, marinate the chicken in the garlic mixture and sauce for a few hours or overnight before roasting.

Nutrition (per serving, approx. based on 8 servings):

  • Calories: 380
  • Protein: 30 g
  • Fat: 24 g
  • Carbohydrates: 8 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Sugar: 3 g
  • Sodium: 600 mg

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