Does it feel like Fall to you? The weather is changing here to the point of my mittens have made a few appearances already. The pavements are covered with leaves ranging in shades of yellows, oranges and reds. The heat has been turned on and usually at least 2 cats can be found in front of the heater warming up their bellies. The days feel shorter as it becomes dark out around 5PM. At home I wear the fluffiest socks to stay warm with cement floors in our loft.
As Fall approaches into Winter our meals begin to change. There’s more slow cooking, many more soups from creamy to vegetable and more weekend roasts and chickens. Last weekend we were craving a chicken dinner to help us feel warmer and fill the house full of delicious cooking smells.
If Autumn had a taste this would be it. This is a dinner that screams out that the seasons are changing.
The chicken is seasoned with rosemary, cloves, allspice, nutmeg, cinnamon, salt and sugar. Can you already smell Autumn?
Inside it’s incredibly moist and juicy.
My favorite part of a chicken is always the drumstick. I will fight for this piece, but usually that doesn’t happen as Matthew is more of a breast man (too easy – stop it). Occasionally I do have to fight off Essy who tries to nibble but she ends up getting her own bowl full of shredded chicken. All our cats look forward to chicken and turkey dinners, they smell it before it even goes into the oven.
If you’re looking for a comforting chicken dinner, look no further. You will love this spiced and moist chicken. Enjoy!
Ingredients
- 6 pound chicken
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 2 teaspoons white sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 8 cloves garlic - minced
- 1 onion - sliced
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 500 degrees.
- In a bowl mix salt, rosemary, sugar, cloves, allspice, nutmeg and cinnamon. Rub the chicken all over on both sides with this mixture.
- Stuff the chicken with minced garlic and onion slices.
- Place chicken, breast side down on a pan.
- Put chicken in oven for 15 minutes.
- Reduce heat to 450 degrees and cook for 15 minutes.
- Reduce heat to 425 degrees and cook for 30 minutes.
- Make sure chicken has internal temperature of 180 degrees.
- Let cool for 15 minutes, serve.
rlk @ FirstTimeFoods says
Hi Pamela! I found this post through the Saturday Night Fever link-up. I’ve never thought of using fall spices on roast chicken- what a great idea! Roast chicken is a perfect cozy recipe, and I’m looking forward to trying this out the next cold day I’m craving some comfort food!
Robyn @simply fresh dinners says
Wow, what an interesting and delightful combination of spices, Pamela. I love roast chicken and am looking forward to trying this. Looks fantastic – very nice photography.
Lisa@ Cooking with Curls says
I is -5 degrees here today in Eastern Iowa, so we have moved straight into winter! Either way, you chicken looks absolutely amazing!! That would definitely warm me up…as long as I get the thigh. 😉
Kristi @ Inspiration Kitchen says
This chicken looks AMAZING! When I saw that bowl of spices, I could just imagine what this chicken tasted like. FABULOUS!
Kiran @ KiranTarun.com says
Mmmm… loving all the spices here, Pamela 🙂
Amy @ Elephant Eats says
Hehe, heaters are total cat magnets! My kitty is also partial to laying in front of the AC when it’s on in the summer. One day I will get the courage to attempt to roast a chicken again (i had a slightly traumatic experience involving smoke). Drumsticks are totally the best part…luckily you dont’ have to share your chicken with me 🙂
DanS@mMyEasyChineseRecipes says
Such a nice chicken recipe! Thanks for sharing!
Somehow I feel really calm looking at the chicken in your first couple photos….
Great photos! Looks so delicious!
Denise Browning@From Brazil To You says
Wow! I love all the spices and herbs in this roasted chicken…I am devouring it with the eyes!
amy @ fearless homemaker says
Oh heavens, this looks AMAZING. What an awesome fall meal – that combination of spices and seasonings sounds just fantastic!
David Crichton says
Hi Pamela, I’m loving your autumnal dishes at the moment. I constantly look for new roast chicken recipes, my favourite being sesame and maple syrup, I believe this one will give it a good run for its money.
Dixya @ Food, Pleasure, and Health says
the chicken browned so nicely. I would like a piece too 🙂
Shashi @ http://runninsrilankan.com says
It feels like winter here in Georgia 🙁 …but I am a cold wimp and proud of it!
Pamela – this chicken looks gorgeous! Beautifully done and the spice rub! Good golly – – your house must have been smelling so good!
ela hester says
That chicken looks good enough to eat! Great picks! Cold here too. Cold, wet and gray.
Anne ~ Uni Homemaker says
What a gorgeous bird Pamela! I love the spices you used here. Delicious! Drumstick is my favorite part and you captured it beautifully.
Madonna/aka/Ms. Lemon says
I am always trying to get my chicken brown enough. Well, not enough, but really, really brown. This looks so delicious, I am going to give it a try.
Nicole @ Young, Broke and Hungry says
Now i want a second dinner of roasted chicken. I have to make this recipe sooner rather than later.
Coffee and Crumpets says
Love the spices! They’re all the ones I use in a mor complicated korma recipe, but this would be an easy sub! Love it! The bird looks gorgeous Pamela!
Nazneen
Ruby @ The Ruby Red Apron says
I bet this smelled delicious as it roasted in the oven. YUM! Love those spices!
Lidia says
I sure do smell Autumn, and I can almost taste it too thanks to those gorgeous photos. Oh, what a chicken Pamela! And I just love curling up with my kitties when it starts getting cold…
Catherine@farmhousehome says
Roast chicken is one of my favourite things to cook and yours looks delicious. Stay warm.
Tessa @ Feral Kitchen says
I love the spice mixture that you have going on there! Delicious!
Lori @ Foxes Love Lemons says
Roast chicken is my absolute favorite Sunday dinner. I’ve never thought to try it with fall spices before, but this looks absolutely amazing! Adding this to my must-try list.
Liz says
What a gorgeous roast chicken! Browned to perfection.
Nora @ Buttercream Fanatic says
I am pinning, bookmarking, tweeting and liking this recipe! It’s so simple, and the flavors are so comforting and perfect for fall. This is going to be my new go-to fall dinner.
Consuelo @ Honey & Figs says
I agree, the drumstick is without a doubt the bestest part! 😉 Though the whole chicken looks amazing! It bet it smelled delicious, didn’t it?
Pamela says
Oh Consuelo, it smelled wonderful!
The Squishy Monster says
According to the 2014 survey of food trends, chicken is coming back in a BIG way…and with this recipe, I believe it! I loooove your treatment to the bird here, this is definitely going in my repertoire!
Cecile @ My Yellow Farmhouse says
Thought of something… I ‘invented’ a really easy (and delish, if I do say so…) recipe for a chicken and potato dinner – cooked entirely in a skillet. I used chicken thighs – and since you really, really like dark meat – I bet you’ll like it. (I don’t really like dark meat but I DO like chicken thighs.)
Pamela says
Sounds delicious Cecile! I love chicken and potatoes!
Shelby S http://bellabakes.net says
Oh my word this looks amazing!
Nicole ~ Cooking for Keeps says
I have yet to make a roast chicken this fall! And even when I do, I hardly ever stray away from the way I usually prepare it, I really love the warm fall flavors in this version. So pretty too!
Chris @ Shared Appetite says
The weather sure is changing (although the past couple of days have been quite mild and enjoyable, haven’t they?!), and roast chicken is the perfect meal for the changing seasons. I love to throw some root vegetables into the mix as well. Adding these autumn spices sounds like a perfect idea. Thanks for the inspiration!