Lunch: Chicken with Parsley and Thyme Stuffing and Roasted Potatoes

Nothing beats a good old-fashioned roast chicken with all the trimmings. Fresh herbs, crispy bacon, potatoes, sausages and a great gravy all add up to the kind of dish that creates nostalgia. Steamed baby carrots and sautéed shredded cabbage are proper ac

This recipe includes superfoods such as:

Lemon

Health benefits of Chicken with Parsley and Thyme Stuffing and Roasted Potatoes

Lemons can help to prevent oxidative damage to the body, which women with PCOS are often susceptible to. Lemons are also rich in vitamin C, flavonoids, and other antioxidants. They can potentially support the immune system and have other health benefits. Lemons also have a low glycemic index, so they should not cause a rapid rise in blood sugar when consumed in natural form.

Ingredients

6 tablespoons (3/4 stick) butter
1 medium onion, finely chopped
6 cups (loosely packed) fresh white breadcrumbs
3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme or 3/4 teaspoon dried thyme
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon grated lemon peel
1 5-pound roasting chicken (liver, heart, gizzard and neck reserved)
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
14 thick-cut bacon slices
8 medium-size white-skinned potatoes (about 4 pounds), peeled, quartered
8 small pork breakfast sausages

Instructions

Melt 4 tablespoons butter in heavy large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and sauté until just beginning to soften, about 6 minutes. Remove from heat. Add breadcrumbs, parsley, thyme, lemon juice and lemon peel and stir gently to blend. Season stuffing generously with salt and pepper. Cool. (Can be prepared 6 hours ahead. Cover and refrigerate.)
Preheat oven to 400 °F. Pat chicken dry with paper towels. Spoon stuffing into cavity of chicken. Tie legs together to hold shape. Rub remaining 2 tablespoons butter over outside of chicken. Sprinkle chicken lightly with salt and pepper. Pour oil into heavy large roasting pan. Place chicken in pan. Arrange 6 bacon slices over chicken. Arrange potatoes around chicken.
Roast chicken and potatoes 45 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 375 °F. Starting at 1 short end of each remaining bacon slice, roll up into cylinders. Secure with toothpicks. Arrange bacon rolls and sausages around chicken. Remove bacon slices from atop chicken; reserve for garnish. Continue roasting chicken until meat thermometer inserted into thickest part of thigh registers 180 °F and potatoes are tender, about 45 minutes longer. Transfer chicken, potatoes, sausages and bacon rolls to platter. Tent chicken with aluminum foil to keep warm.