Vegetable Stuffed Chicken

DAIRY-FREE / GLUTEN-FREE

Here is a super easy and delicious roasted chicken recipe that I make often for family gatherings. The chicken is stuffed with cut-up vegetables and whole grains, which can be prepared very quickly, and give the chicken flavour a real boost. No need to make extra vegetable dishes to serve with the chicken, there is plenty vegetables in the roasting tray to make it a complete meal. No more juggling around the oven and great for a last minute roast.

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The vegetable “stuffing”, unlike the dense traditional breadcrumb stuffing, allows for good hot air circulation and even cooking. The infused flavour of roasted chicken, celery, onion, pepper and garlic is simply irresistible. The bird comes out moist on the inside, and golden and crispy on the outside, every time.

VEGETABLE STUFFED CHICKEN

DAIRY-FREE / GLUTEN-FREE

MAKE 4-6 servings PREPARATION 10 mins ROASTING 1.5 hours

Ingredients

• 1 medium whole chicken
• 2 large onion, sliced
• Half or whole celery, cut on a bias into 5cm long slices
• 2 zucchini, sliced (optional)
• 100g quinoa (see Recipe Notes for substitutes)
• 1 tsp oil for the chicken (brushing), 1 tbsp oil for the vegetables
• Black pepper and garlic salt to taste

Method

• Pre-heat the oven to 180°C (356°F).
• Brush the chicken with the oil, then rub the chicken with black pepper and garlic salt.
• In a large bowl, mix the onion, celery, zucchini and quinoa.
• Stuff the chicken with as much of the vegetable mix as you can. Spread rest of the vegetable mix on the roasting tray, and place the stuffed chicken on the tray.
• Roast in the oven for 1.5 hours, or until the chicken is cooked through and the juice runs clear when pierced through the thickest part of the chicken with a fork.

Recipe Notes

• Quinoa can be replaced or mixed with wholemeal couscous if you are not on a gluten-free diet. Another great gluten-free alternative is millets (soak for 1 hour before using).
• Depending on the oven, if the skin is not brown enough by the time the chicken is cooked through, set the oven to grill (or broil) for 30 to 60 seconds or until the skin is golden brown.