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Roast Chicken with Pan Gravy

This classic roast chicken with pan gravy is a quintessential Sunday lunch that perfectly balances simplicity with deep, savoury flavour. The chickens are basted in a fragrant lemon and garlic butter, ensuring the skin achieves a beautiful golden colour while the meat remains succulent and tender. By roasting the birds at a high temperature, you lock in the juices, creating a sophisticated main course that feels indulgent yet remains naturally wholesome.

As a diabetes-friendly option, this dish provides a high-quality source of protein with a controlled approach to fats and starches. The homemade gravy is made directly in the roasting tin, using the natural juices to produce a rich finish without the need for shop-bought granules. Serve this comforting roast with a generous portion of steamed green vegetables and roasted root crops for a balanced, nutritious family meal.

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Ingredients for Roast Chicken with Pan Gravy

  • 2 whole chickens (about 1.6kg each)

  • 1 stick unsalted butter, cut into tablespoons, divided

  • 6 large garlic cloves, smashed and peeled

  • 2 lemons, halved

  • 2 tablespoons plain flour

  • 475ml water

  • Equipment: kitchen string

How to make Roast Chicken with Pan Gravy

Preheat oven to 232°C with rack in middle.

Pull off excess fat around cavities of chickens and discard, then rinse chickens and pat dry. Melt 4 tablespoons butter with garlic and brush butter all over chickens. Season both chickens inside and out with 2 1/2 teaspoons salt and 1 teaspoon pepper (total). Put half of garlic and 1 lemon half in each cavity and loosely tie legs together with string.

Roast chickens in a large (17-by 11-inch) flameproof roasting pan, basting with pan juices using a spoon (remove pan from oven and tilt if necessary) every 20 minutes, rotating pan, until an instant-read thermometer inserted into fleshy part of a thigh of each chicken (do not touch bone) registers 77°C, 50 to 60 minutes total. Baste chickens once more, then carefully tilt them so juices from cavities run into roasting pan. Transfer chickens to a cutting board (reserve pan) and let rest 15 minutes before carving.

Pour off all but 2 tablespoons fat from pan, then cook remaining drippings over medium-high heat until deep golden, 1 to 2 minutes. Add flour and cook, stirring constantly, 1 minute. Stir in water and simmer, stirring and scraping up brown bits, until thickened, about 3 to 4 minutes. Whisk in remaining 60ml butter and lemon juice to taste (from remaining lemon halves). Season with salt and pepper. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve into a gravy boat.

Clause de non-responsabilité

While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate and up to date, individual needs may vary and dietary requirements can differ based on personal health conditions. Always check food labels and allergen information before preparing or consuming any recipe. If you have specific health concerns, allergies, intolerances, or are following a medically prescribed diet, seek advice from your GP, pharmacist, or a registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet or lifestyle.

Historique de l'article

Les informations contenues dans cette page ont été évaluées par des cliniciens qualifiés.

  • 16 janvier 2026 | Publié à l'origine

    Auteur: :

    UK recipe editors

    Examiné par des pairs

    UK recipe editors
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