Winner, Winner - Chicken Dinner

Williams Sonoma has the best catalogs. It isn't just their merchandise that intrigues me. Nestled amongst the pages of their desirable goods are the most amazing recipes. They are very unique and enticing. This particular recipe has been taunting me for months now. Every time I turn the page and see these bacon chickens my mouth begins to water. I pushed off making them because honestly, what would Forrest and I do with two whole chickens? It seemed like way too much food for the two of us. But this week I bit the bullet and forced myself to get creative with the leftovers. I roasted two chickens on Sunday night - then I used the leftovers and made Chicken Pot Pie on Monday night and Chicken Salad Sandwiches tonight for Forrest's trip tomorrow to Westpoint, NY to see the Army v Air Force Game. I am sure glad I finally made this recipe!

Roast Chicken w/ Bacon and Pan Gravy
Modified from Williams Sonoma

Ingredients:

2 chickens, each 4 to 4 1/2 lb.
Olive oil as needed
Freshly ground pepper, to taste
12 to 16 bacon slices
2 Tbs. finely diced shallots
1 tsp. all-purpose flour
1/2 cup white wine
1 cup chicken broth
1 tsp. minced fresh thyme
2 Tbs. cold unsalted butter, cut into 2 pieces

Directions:

Position a rack in the lower third of an oven and preheat to 450°F.

Blot the chickens dry with paper towels.

Rub the back sides with olive oil and season on both sides with pepper.

Place the chickens, breast side up, and tuck the wings behind the breasts. Drape the bacon slices over the breasts.

Place the chickens, bacon side up, on a rack in a roasting pan. Roast until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of a thigh, away from the bone, registers 170°F, 1 to 1 1/4 hours; tent the chickens with aluminum foil if the bacon becomes too dark. Transfer the chickens to a carving board, cover loosely with foil and let rest for 10 minutes.

Discard all but 2 tsp. of the fat from the roasting pan. Set the pan over medium-high heat and warm the reserved fat. Add the shallots and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 2 minutes.
Stir in the flour and cook for 30 seconds. Add the wine, stirring to scrape up the browned bits, then whisk in the broth. Simmer until the sauce is slightly thickened, 3 to 4 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and whisk in the thyme and butter.

Carve the chickens and arrange on a warmed platter. Drizzle with some of the sauce and pass the remaining sauce alongside. Serve with champ. Serves 8.

These chickens were so tasty and the pan gravy was the best I have ever had. I wanted to drink it! I highly recommend making mashed potatoes so you have something else to serve with this incredibly delicious pan gravy!