Paprika Roast Chicken recipe

Paprika Roast Chicken with Fennel Potatoes and Wilted Spinach is a wonderful dish for two or more, but as I live alone, a whole roast chicken will see me through the weekend, including tonight (Friday). Naturally, I get help from my loyal companions, Issy and Poppy. And let's not forget that the carcass and bones will make a tasty stock for another day.

Preheat the oven to 180°C.

In a bowl, mix ½ teaspoon paprika, ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper, a good grind of black pepper, a small pinch of sea salt, and thyme leaves from two sprigs in olive oil.

Place the bird in a roasting tin over a bed of chopped onion, carrot, and celery.

Brush the bird with the olive oil mixture.

Stuff a crushed garlic clove and a few sprigs of thyme inside the bird's cavity, and tuck a couple of garlic cloves under the skin.

Roast in the oven for one hour, basting occasionally. Then continue cooking for a further 15 minutes at 200°C. The flesh should be juicy and tender and the skin crispy and golden. When done, remove and lightly cover with foil to rest.

Meanwhile, boil some new potatoes until tender, drain, and allow to steam dry before adding a big pinch of fennel seeds, celery seeds, black pepper, and a splash of olive oil. Shake and cover, allowing the residual heat to warm the seeds and oil. This should take around 20 minutes and can be done while the bird is resting.

The vegetable and roasting pan juices can be turned into a wonderful gravy. Over a high heat on the hob, add chicken stock, a small dollop of tomato purée, and ½ teaspoon of Dijon mustard. Stir, making sure to scrape all the bits from the base of the pan. Season to taste, then strain into a gravy boat.

The very lazy way to wilt the spinach leaves is to throw a handful in with the potatoes.

That's it – Paprika Roast Chicken is a wonderful way to start the weekend with a delicious meal.

Enjoy your meal, and remember, this paprika roast chicken recipe not only gets you a fabulous dinner but also sets you up with tasty leftovers and stock for other dishes. Cheers to that!

Do you want more roast chicken recipes? Then see here and here and here, or just use the spyglass to search.

This recipe is part of my easy chicken dinner ideas collection — a complete guide to cooking every cut, every style, from Casa Adora and the road.

Wonky photos, proper chicken, genuine adventures — The Flexible Chef.