Perfectly Roasted Chicken

Sometimes I like to get whole chickens and keep in the freezer for a nice, easy meal.  The rub in this recipe makes the chicken super flavorful, moist,  and very, very tasty.  The gravy is also very tasty and goes perfect on top of some mashed potatoes on the side.  Enjoy!

Ingredients:

-1 (4 to 6 lbs) whole chicken

For the rub:

-2 Tbs extra virgin olive oil

-1 tsp liquid smoke

-1 1/2 tsp salt

-1 tsp pepper

-1 tsp garlic powder

-1 tsp smoked paprika

-1/2 tsp onion powder

-1/2 tsp chili powder

For gravy:

-1/4 cup cooking wine

-1/4 cup water

-1 Tbs cornstarch

Directions:

Preheat oven to 450 F.

Clean the chicken and rinse with cold water.  Pat dry with paper towels.

In a bowl, mix all of the rub ingredients.  Rub some of the mixture under the skin of the chicken.  Rub remaining mixture all over the chicken (don't forget the back and under thighs and wings!).

Place nicely rubbed chicken in a roasting pan, on top of a rack.  Place in preheated oven and immediately reduce the heat to 375 F.  Roast uncovered until the chicken is beautifully golden brown and the juices run clean (about 20 minutes for each pound of chicken).

Remove from the oven and let it rest for about 10 minutes.  Move the chicken onto serving platter.

Skim the liquids from the roasting pan of fat.  Place liquid in sauce pan.  Add the cooking wine and bring to a boil, reducing the liquid in half.

Meanwhile, mix the water and cornstarch in a small bowl.  Add to the sauce pan and cook on low until gravy has thickened.  Serve with the chicken, mashies and some veggies.  Yum!  Enjoy!