I love the holiday season, but with that we are all rushing to get so much done. The days are already filled with work, family and friends. When the holiday season arrives there are the extra activities of shopping for gifts, decorating the house and extra entertaining. So with that I love when I have a recipe that is easy, simple and delicious. This one pan roast chicken and vegetables is just so easy to assemble and it looks and tastes just amazing. My recipe suggests certain vegetables to surround the chicken, but you can easy use other vegetables if you like such as carrots, asparugus, scallions, cauliflower or sliced peppers and onions. If  any of the vegetables seemed to have cooked too quickly, just take them of the pan , cover with foil and put the pan back into the oven to finish roasting. The dish is not only easy to make, it’s all a quick clean up. Especially, if you use a nice non stick pan such as scan pan, it’s about a 1 minute to clean up. So find yourself some extra time for the holiday acitivities with this quick dish.From by the bay wishing you speedy food memories!
Maryann

1 organic chicken – 3 to 4 pounds

2 thick slices of bread, such as sourdough

2 heads garlic, sliced across the middle

2 bay leaves

6 – 8 shallots peeled

4 ounces brussel sprouts

1 medium sweet potato, peeled and sliced

4 small purple potatoes, sliced

5 strips of thick bacon

2 tablespoons olive oil

2 tablespoons butter

1 tablespoon maple syrup

salt and pepper

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F . Drizzle the bottom of the baking pan with olive oil. Place two slices of bread in pan. Bring chicken to room temperature and season with salt and pepper inside the cavity and outside. Place chicken on top of the bread in the baking pan. Wrap the chicken with bacon, drizzle with maple syrup and top with butter. Add the remaining vegetables around the chicken. Drizzle with remaining olive oil and season with salt  and pepper. Place in the oven and roast chicken until the bacon is crisp and the chicken is 175 degrees F and the juices run clear, approximately 1 1/2 hours. If the vegetables look dry add a little water or white wine. Let chicken rest for at least 15 minutes before carving. Serve with the roasted vegetables and bread from the pan.