This Roast Chicken with Fennel and Squash is a complete one-pan meal. The sweet and mellow roasted fennel is delicious savored with the chicken and squash.
Old Man Winter showed up for the year with a huge storm on Saturday. The fresh snow blanketed everything and transformed the landscape into a winter wonderful. The first snowfall is always fun and everyone gets a little excited just watching the snow come down. It came down fast and furious and we had 8 inches of wet, heavy snow in a matter of hours.
Throwing and Shoveling Snow
By mid morning lots of activities can be heard outside. Though the snow was still coming down people were up and about. There were the happy laughter of children as they roll and sled in the snow and the sounds of shoveling and snow throwers as the adults fought to clear their driveways. Ro-Ri San and the boys were out doing the same. Good thing he had prepared the snow thrower in anticipation of the storm. The boys helped with shoveling of the porch and places the snow thrower could not get to.
One-Pan Chicken Meal with Fennel and Squash
Today’s recipe is a family favorite which I made to go with the Butternut Squash Fettuccini of my previous post. Roast chicken combines really well with fennel. Fennel tastes a little like licorice and has a texture like celery when raw. It mellows and sweetens when roasted. I added a fall favorite, the sweet dumpling squash to the dish…oops…err…it was still fall when I made this! Sweet dumpling squashes are smaller in size and quite sweet as the name suggests. The texture is fine and smooth. Do give them a try as they are delicious.
Final Harvest From Herb Garden
The fresh thyme is the final harvest from my herb garden. I used lime as that was what I had in the fridge. You can use lemon if preferred.
Similar Tools Used in Making This Roast Chicken with Fennel and Squash
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Chasseur Oval Cast Iron Indoor Grill Pan
Le Creuset Cast Iron Oval Oven with Reversible Grill Pan Lid, 4 3/4 quart, Oyster
Le Creuset Cast Iron Oval Oven with Reversible Grill Pan Lid, 4 3/4 quart, Caribbean
Roast Chicken with Fennel and Squash
Ingredients
- 1 roasting chicken (3 to 4 lbs/ 1.4 to 1.8 kg)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 large bunch fresh thyme (20 to 30 sprigs)
- 1 lemon or lime (halved)
- 1 bulb fennel (top removed and sliced into ¼ inch thick slices)
- 2 sweet dumpling squash (seeds removed and cut into 8 wedges)
- 1 bulb garlic (peeled)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Remove giblets and excessive fat from chicken. Then rinse the chicken and pat dry with paper towels. Let it sit for 20 to 30 minutes so that the skin is dry.
- Place prepared chicken in a roasting pan.
- Liberally sprinkle salt and pepper on the inside and outside of the chicken.
- Stuff thyme (saving a few sprigs for the vegetables) and lemon or lime in the cavity of the chicken.
- Tie the legs together with kitchen string. Place chicken on a pan and tug wings under the body.
- Place sliced fennel bulb, squash wedges, garlic, and remaining sprigs of thyme around chicken.
- Sprinkle salt and pepper and drizzle olive oil over vegetables.
- Place roasting pan in the oven and roast for approximately 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes or until thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh without touching the bone registers 180°F (82°C).
- Remove from oven and allow the roasted chicken to rest for 15 minutes before carving.
Nutrition
Enjoy…..and have a wonderful day! 😎
Victoria says
It technically is fall even with all that snow! I love roasted chicken, it really is one of those wonderfully simple meals that one never seems to tire from. I love your version with fennel and squash. I never really think to add those flavors to a roasted chicken 🙂
Biren says
Haha…I know but it just doesn’t feel like fall now with all that snow outside. 🙂
Roast chicken is wonderful! Adding vegetables makes it a one dish kind of meal.
lequan says
Wow Biren, old man winter did arrive stormfully (is that a word?…whatever…teehee). That’s a beautiful picture of the trees covered in snow. Can’t wait till we have snow that stays (had a couple snow falls, but all melted away by the end of the day) so I can take my kiddies sledding and skating. I’m so jealous of your snow blower (that’s what we call those here). Maybe Santa will drop one off this year…haha. Sha right!
Your dish looks beautiful. This would be a family favorite as my children love roasted chicken and I love any type of squash. I love that you used such fresh ingredients. Great recipe!
Biren says
Hey LeQuan, the first snow fall is always fun. You skate too? We go skating too on a huge frozen lake downtown. Lakes should be frozen in December. A snow thrower is an absolute must or we’ll break our backs with the amount of snow we get here. This smaller unit is much easier to handle. BTW, there are more pictures on my Facebook Fan Page if you are interested.
My boys love roast chicken and always welcome it. I like to add vegetables to make it a one dish kind of meal 🙂
sayantani says
what a recipe and so awesome pictures Biren.
Reeni says
The presentation for this is so gorgeous Biren! And the flavors sound wonderful – I am always saying I need to use fennel more often. The first snow of the year is always the best!
MaryMoh says
Wow…snowing already? It’s extremely cold here today…..minus 3 deg Celsius but no snow…just frost 🙁 Love that big dish of roast chicken and vegetables. I have to try. Haven’t roasted a big chicken yet. A turkey would frighten me…haha
Roxan says
Biren this chicken looks lovely. Great job tying it up! I have no idea how to do that – it seems really complicated to me. And I am LOVING your snow photos. They put my snow photos to shame!!!
PS You have a beautiful yard.
eatgreek.net says
I think squash will give chicken an excellent taste!
Lyndsey says
Wow the photos are beautiful, of both the snow and the roasted chicken. The meal looks like a perfect comfort food. I usually roat my fennel, it would be great with chicken. I like the photo of all the ingredients too. Our weather has been beautiful and we were on our boat and at the beach over the weekend. I shared some pics on my site. 😀 Where are you to get all the snow so early?
Biren says
Thanks Lyndsey! I live in the Land of 10,000 (FROZEN) Lakes, Minnesota 🙂
tigerfish says
It sure snows early over there. We are still experiencing occasional high here …like yesterday, it was 70-ish!
Nutmeg Nanny says
Wow talk about a great first snowfall! I have yet to see snow yet….
Now this meal looks great. Perfect for the cold winter nights 🙂
Faith says
Your winter pictures are absolutely gorgeous, Biren! It’s hard to believe, here we actually have only had a light dusting of snow this year…I’m kind of looking forward to our first heavy snowfall! 🙂 Your roast chicken looks wonderful!
kitchen flavours says
Your roast chicken looks so delicious. Roast chicken has always been a favourite in my house too. Never tried it with fennel before. The pictures of the snowfall is lovely!
Karen says
Beautiful photos, both of the snow and the chicken dish! I’ve never put fennel with chicken, but it sounds delicious. Will definitely have to remember that combination next time I do a roasted chicken. Great idea!
Zoe says
I love your snowing photos and your roast is perfect. Love your combination for your roast. Seeing your pics, I can feel the white Xmas is coming but it is a total opposite here in Aus even though we just had a cold raining weekend in Melbourne.
Julie M. says
I’m so jealous of your first snow fall! It’s the one thing I really miss about living in the north. Beautiful pictures.
That dinner looks perfect as well. Your squash is gorgeous!
Magic of Spice says
Beautiful dish…I have a few dumpling squash right now, but have not tried them out yet. Was thinking to work them into Thanksgiving dinner maybe 🙂
Love fennel too and you know how I love garlic 😉
The snow is gorgeous, but I can imagine the thrill is short lived.
And you know California has not idea what to make of seasons…We had about 3 days of Fall, then a week or so of Summer and now it’s Spring again? See why we are such odd people, lol
kristy says
OMG, snowing already! This is the place where I love to visit but not to stay! ^_^ Oh yes, X’mas is on the way. lol! I would be so lazy to go out to shop under this kind of weather. Guess, you going to stock up lots of stuffs! Hope you’re having a wonderful day and stay warm.
Cheers, kristy
kristy says
Not to forget the roasted chicken just perfect for the winter meal. Yummm…..
Petes says
That is a lot of snow my friend. Stay warm. This sounds like the perfect recipe for a day like that.
5 Star Foodie says
Wow, that’s a lot of snow, and it’s only November! That roasted chicken sure looks tasty, with the delicious veggies!
rebecca says
looks wonderful wow what a lot of snow
Kristi Rimkus says
I can’t believe it’s already snow time! Beautiful pictures Biren – both the food and the snow. 🙂
Blackswan says
Love those shots, Biren! I can feel the coldness just by looking at your pix 🙂
I like how you cook your chicken with squash & fennel. Frankly, I don’t really know the taste of fennel but I like your cooking!
penny aka jeroxie says
I can see all the winter produce coming out… 🙂
denise @ quickies on the dinner table says
Wow! Amazing! I had no idea you cooked this with the pasta dish from your previous post! LOL My family would of course, be all over this, especially hubby 😀
I’ve never seen such pretty squash, and the seasonings for your chicken are just wonderful!
I can’t wait to see snow myself *sigh* but in the meantime, your lovely photos are doing the trick 😉
Mary says
Biren, this really looks and sounds delicious. I love the winter vegetables you’ve used to accompany the chicken. I hope you are having a great day. Blessings…Mary
Devaki @ weavethousandflavors says
PERFECT Biren! For when the rain is falling or the snow is falling and we need a hug on a plate. This is so so good I am going to make it soon…where ever there is a good roast chook, you’ll find me! 🙂
Ciao, Devaki @ weavethousandflavors
pachecopatty says
Love your pictures Biren, both the snow and the roast chicken:) We have had such warm weather here, it’s hard to believe you had snow in your neck of the woods. I have to try this recipe, I love the squash and fennel roasted in the same pot as the chicken, one dish meal perfection:)
Nancy/SpicieFoodie says
What beautiful photos of the snow storm. Your chicken looks like the perfect way to warm up, yummy!
The Mom Chef ~ Taking on Magazines One Recipe at a Time says
It’s odd to look at pictures of a snow storm when we’re in the middle of a tornado watch and I’ve got a spectacular lightning show outside my window. I love roasted fennel and will definitely be trying it in with the chicken soon. I’ll bet it adds amazing flavor and aroma to the dish. Thanks for passing the recipe along, Biren.
Juliana says
Biren, what a beautiful roast chicken…professionally prepared and presented…I can almost taste it. Gorgeous!
Alex aka Ma What's For Dinner says
Fennel is a great addition to the classic roast chicken. Well done.
Lots of yummy love,
Alex aka Ma What’s For Dinner
http://www.mawhats4dinner.com
sarah says
Amazing pics dearie…
and chicken looks so perfect and tempting …ooh..drool!!
Jeannie says
I’d love to taste that fat juicy chicken! Looks so yummy!
Joanne says
My gosh that is so much snow! You definitely needed a large roasted chicken like this to warm you up after that!
Lisa says
Chicken is my favorite, this looks so tasty thanks for sharing.
Tanantha @ I Just Love My Apron says
I love roast chicken! I requested this for my birthday dinner from my in-law. The bday girl got to pick her favorite dish 🙂 My in-law didn’t include squash. Your version sounds terrific and it will warm me up on a cold day! I like snow. It’s romantic 🙂 Your winter snow photos are beautiful and that’s lots of snow my goodness!