Pollo Asado al Horno
A whole chicken rubbed with garlic and dried herbs and roasted for about an hour. Basil, oregano, parsley, rosemary and thyme, all powdered, which is how Colombian kitchens season a roast. Serves eight.
Servings: 8
Calories: 59kcal
Ingredients
- 1 whole chicken cleaned, drawn and plucked
- 2 garlic cloves
- ¼ teaspoon powdered basil optional
- ¼ teaspoon powdered oregano optional
- ¼ teaspoon powdered parsley optional
- ¼ teaspoon powdered rosemary optional
- ¼ teaspoon powdered thyme optional
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- ½ glass of water about 100 ml
- ½ glass of white wine or beer about 100 ml
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 210ºC (410ºF).
- Put the chicken in a roasting tray and season it with salt and pepper. Pour the half glass of wine or beer and the half glass of water into the tray around the bird.
- Mix the two teaspoons of olive oil with the garlic, basil, oregano, parsley, thyme and rosemary. The herbs are optional and you can use whatever you have.
- With a brush, coat the whole chicken with the mixture, inside the cavity as well as outside.
- Roast for about half an hour, then turn it over so it browns evenly and give it another half hour. Ovens vary and so do chickens: a small bird may be done in an hour, a large one takes closer to an hour and twenty.
- It is ready when the juices run clear rather than pink from the thickest part of the thigh, and the leg moves freely in its socket. Take it out and let it rest for about 15 minutes.
- Carve it into portions.
Notes
- The resting is not optional. A chicken carved straight from the oven loses its juices onto the board; fifteen minutes and they settle back into the meat.
- The water and wine in the tray keep the bottom from scorching and give you the beginnings of a sauce. Spoon it over the bird when you turn it.
- You can leave the herbs out altogether and the chicken is still good. Garlic, salt and pepper carry it.
Nutrition
Calories: 59kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 12mg | Sodium: 304mg | Potassium: 50mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 29IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 8mg | Iron: 1mg