Description
A fragrant Caribbean-inspired roast chicken seasoned with warm spices, fresh herbs, and a touch of heat, served with vibrant vegetables and a green herb gravy.
Ingredients
1 tbsp garlic powder
1 tbsp onion powder
1 tbsp dried thyme
2 tsp ground allspice
½ tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp smoked paprika
1 tbsp cayenne pepper
½ tsp ground cloves
1 tsp ground nutmeg
1 tsp fresh ginger, grated
2 tbsp soft light brown sugar
1 tsp salt
1 tsp freshly ground black pepper
1 whole free-range chicken
30g butter, softened
2 tbsp rapeseed oil
1 tbsp chopped fresh flatleaf parsley
1 tbsp snipped fresh chives
1 tbsp chopped fresh coriander
1 tsp chopped fresh thyme
1 green chilli, chopped
Small pinch Scotch bonnet chilli
1 tbsp rapeseed oil (for seasoning)
Salt and freshly ground black pepper (for seasoning)
2 tbsp rapeseed oil (for vegetables)
2 sweet potatoes, peeled and roughly chopped
6 asparagus spears, trimmed
3 garlic cloves, crushed
3 spring onions, white and green parts separated, finely sliced
150g frozen peas
100g cooked pigeon peas
Instructions
- Mix garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, allspice, cinnamon, paprika, cayenne, cloves, nutmeg, ginger, sugar, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Rub all over and inside the chicken. Marinate in the fridge for at least 1 hour.
- Preheat oven to 200C/180C Fan/Gas 6. Place chicken in a roasting tin, rub with butter and oil, and roast for 1¼–1½ hours until juices run clear. Rest for 30 minutes.
- Make the green seasoning: combine parsley, chives, coriander, thyme, green chilli, Scotch bonnet, oil, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
- For the vegetables: heat oil in a pan, fry sweet potatoes for 15 minutes until golden and soft. Add asparagus for 2–3 minutes, then garlic and white parts of spring onions.
- Stir in peas, pigeon peas, and two-thirds of the green seasoning. Season to taste.
- Make the gravy: place roasting tin on the hob, add 200ml hot water, reduce by half, then stir in remaining green seasoning.
- Carve chicken, serve with vegetables, gravy, and garnish with green parts of spring onions.
Notes
- Swap sweet potatoes for butternut squash for a sweeter flavor.
- Reduce cayenne and skip Scotch bonnet for a milder dish.
- Roast vegetables instead of pan-frying for extra crunch.
- A squeeze of lime over the chicken before serving adds freshness.
- Spice rub can be made ahead and stored in an airtight jar.
- Prep Time: 1–2 hours (including marinating)
- Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Roasting, Pan-frying
- Cuisine: Caribbean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/8 of recipe
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 720mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 110mg