EASY PEASY ROAST CHICKEN

Servings: 4 Adults or 6 children

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes

Chicken! It’s a staple in so many homes—unless you don’t eat chicken, in which case, feel free to skip this one. For everyone else, introducing chicken to your little one can start right at the weaning stage. When I did baby-led weaning, I’d hand my kids a whole chicken leg to gnaw on (yes, they looked like tiny cavemen) or even a cleaned chicken bone to suck on— it’s a surprising little nutrient boost!

The recipe below is my easy-peasy roast chicken, originally made with myself in mind, but my kids decided it was theirs too (as kids do with everything). Like most of my recipes, it’s for everyone at the table—just with less salt and spice for the kids. Because, honestly, who has time to cook separate meals? My goal is simple: to help you introduce your kids to bold, exciting flavours while keeping dinnertime chaos to a minimum.

This recipe is totally hassle-free and so quick to prepare—it’s a lifesaver on busy days! I love pairing it with all sorts of sides. Chips are always a hit with the kids (and let’s be honest, us too), or you can go for roast veggies if you’re feeling a bit more virtuous. Either way, it’s a winner!

If you don't need to feed a crowd, you can easily opt for chicken legs or breasts instead of a whole chicken. If that's the case, simply halve the recipe for marinating the chicken. For babies and young children, I’d recommend removing the skin before serving it to them. 

• 1 whole chicken (about 1.5-2 kg)
• 4-5 garlic cloves, crushed
• 2 whole cloves
• 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 2 tsp orange pepper powder (this dry spice can be found on Amazon)
• 50g cold butter, cut into slices

1. Prepare the Chicken:
   • Preheat the oven to Gas Mark 6 (200°C / 400°F).
   • Pat the chicken dry with paper towels to ensure the skin becomes crispy       during roasting.

1. Prepare the Seasoning:
   • In a small bowl, crush the garlic cloves and whole cloves in a pestle and mortar and combine them with the black pepper, olive oil, lemon juice, and orange pepper powder.

1. Season the Chicken:
   • Rub the garlic and seasoning mixture all over the chicken, making sure to coat the skin evenly.
   • Gently lift the skin of the chicken using your fingers and carefully insert slices of cold butter underneath the skin. This helps achieve a golden, crispy skin as the chicken roasts.

1. Roast the Chicken:
   • Place the seasoned chicken on a roasting tray, breast-side up, and roast uncovered in the preheated oven at Gas Mark 6 for 50 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 75°C (165°F) and the skin is crispy and golden.

1. Rest and Serve:
   • Once roasted, remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for 10 minutes before carving to allow the juices to redistribute.
   • Serve with your favourite sides such as roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, or a fresh salad.

For Babies 6-9 Months:

At this stage, babies are ready to explore larger textures and develop their self-feeding skills. Giving babies larger pieces of food helps avoid choking hazards and encourages them to use their gums and hands to break down food.

• Texture & Self-Feeding:
  • Remove the skin from the chicken and serve larger pieces of tender chicken that your baby can hold and gnaw on. The chicken should be soft enough for them to break down with their gums.
  • Larger pieces of food (e.g., chicken legs or large chunks) are better for babies at this stage as it prevents them from taking too small a bite, which could become a choking hazard.
• Chicken Leg for Sucking/Teething:
  • A whole chicken leg (skinless) is a great option for babies in this age group. Let your baby gnaw on the meat to explore its flavour and texture. The leg will allow them to handle the chicken, experience the juicy meat, and satisfy teething needs.
  • Chicken bones for Nutrients: You can give your baby a chicken bone (after removing any sharp cartilage), as bones contain beneficial calcium, collagen, and healthy fats which are great for their growth and development. Always remove any sharp pieces and supervise carefully while they explore.
• Larger Veggies for Self-Feeding:
  • Offer larger pieces of cooked vegetables (e.g., carrot sticks, sweet potato wedges, courgette sticks) that your baby can easily hold. These vegetables should be boiled or roasted until very soft to ensure that if your baby bites into a large piece, it can be easily broken down in their mouth.
  • Always make sure the vegetables are soft enough to squish with their gums so that even if your baby bites off a larger piece, it will break apart easily and won’t present a choking risk.
• Serving Idea:
  • Give your baby a whole chicken leg to gnaw on or hold, or serve larger chunks of chicken alongside large pieces of soft-cooked vegetables like sweet potato wedges or carrot sticks.
  • Always supervise your baby while eating, especially when exploring larger textures and self-feeding.

    

For Babies 9-12 Months:

By this stage, babies are improving their self-feeding skills and can handle more varied textures and smaller pieces.

• Texture:
  • The chicken can be cut into small, bite-sized pieces that your baby can pick up and feed themselves. Ensure the chicken is tender enough to chew and that it’s easy for them to handle with their fingers.
• Serving Idea:
  • Offer small pieces of shredded chicken or bite-sized chunks of chicken alongside soft cooked vegetables (like peas, carrots, or sweet potatoes) or even rice or pasta for a more complete meal.
  • You can also introduce soft bread, mash, or fruit slices to complement the chicken.

    

For Babies 12+ Months:

At this age, babies are eating a wider variety of textures and flavours, and they can handle larger pieces of food.

• Texture:
  • Serve the chicken in larger chunks or strips for self-feeding.  The chicken should be easy to chew and be a good size for your baby to hold with both hands.
• Serving Idea:

Serve larger pieces of chicken with a side of roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, or rice. You can also serve the chicken with a simple dipping sauce  

• For Crispy Skin: Be sure to pat the chicken dry before seasoning and inserting the butter under the skin. This helps achieve that perfect crispy texture.
• For Babies: If serving to younger children, you can remove the skin before serving to reduce fat content.
• Flavour Variations: Feel free to add herbs like rosemary or thyme for extra flavor.

Calories: 180-220 kcal 

Butter: Contains milk, a common allergen. Substitute with a dairy-free alternative if needed.

The nutritional information and serving suggestions provided are approximate estimates based on personal experience with my own children. While they are intended as a helpful guide, they have not been reviewed or verified by a nutritionist or healthcare professional. For specific dietary or nutritional concerns, it is recommended to consult with a qualified expert.