Hey there, budding chefs! If you’ve managed to get your hands on a delicious pastured chicken and are wondering how to do justice to its rich, flavorful meat, you’re in the right place. Today, we’ll walk you through a simple, step-by-step guide on how to cook a whole pastured chicken, keeping in mind Midwest’s seasonal and organic ingredients. Let’s get started!
Preparation Steps (for all cooking methods):
- Gathering Ingredients:
- One whole pastured chicken from Pasture Pure Chickens (5-6 pounds)
- 4-5 medium-sized potatoes, scrubbed and quartered
- 2 onions, peeled and quartered
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- Fresh herbs (rosemary, thyme, and sage are favorites)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or butter (organic preferred)
- Chicken Prep:
- Rinse the chicken under cold water and pat dry with paper towels.
- Rub the chicken inside and out with salt and pepper.
Oven Roasting:
- Preheat: Set your oven to 425°F.
- Stuff: Place a few onion quarters, garlic, and herbs inside the chicken.
- Arrange: In a roasting pan, spread out your potatoes and remaining onions. Place the chicken on top.
- Roast: Place your chicken in the preheated oven and roast for about 1 hour and 30 minutes. Ensure the chicken’s internal temperature reaches 165°F and juices run clear.
- Rest: Let the chicken sit for about 10 minutes before serving.
Crock-Pot Cooking:
- Layer: Place potatoes and onions at the bottom of the crock-pot.
- Position: Place the chicken on top of the vegetables.
- Season: Sprinkle garlic and herbs over the chicken. Drizzle with olive oil or melt butter over the top.
- Cook: Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours, or until the chicken’s internal temperature reaches 165°F and it’s tender.
Instant Pot Magic:
- Sauté: Turn the Instant Pot to the “sauté” setting. Add olive oil or butter, garlic, and onions. Sauté for a minute.
- Arrange: Add potatoes, followed by the chicken.
- Season: Place herbs on top.
- Pressure Cook: Seal the lid, set the Instant Pot to “Pressure Cook” on high pressure for
4 lb = 24 minutes
4 1/2 lb = 27 minutes
5 lb = 30 minutes
5 1/2 lb = 33 minutes
6 lb = 36 minutes - Natural Release: Once done, let the pressure release naturally for 15 minutes, then quick release any remaining pressure.
Summarized Recipe:
Whole Pastured Chicken from Pasture Pure Chickens
Ingredients:
- 1 whole pastured chicken (5-6 lbs)
- 4-5 Midwest potatoes, quartered
- 2 onions, quartered
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- Fresh Midwest herbs (rosemary, thyme, sage)
- Salt & pepper
- 2 tbsp organic olive oil/butter
Instructions:
- Prep the chicken by removing giblets, rinsing, drying, and seasoning.
- For oven roasting, stuff with some onions, garlic, herbs, and place on a bed of potatoes in a roasting pan. Roast at 425°F for 1.5 hours.
- For crock-pot, layer potatoes and onions, position chicken on top, season with garlic, herbs, oil/butter. Cook on low for 6-8 hours.
- For Instant Pot, sauté garlic and onions, layer potatoes, and chicken. Add herbs and pressure cook on manual for 30 minutes. Natural release for 15 minutes.
Serve your chicken with a side salad using fresh local greens and enjoy your meal!
There you go! Whether you’re using an oven, crock-pot, or Instant Pot, you’re now equipped to serve a heartwarming, home-cooked, pastured chicken dish. Happy cooking!
Thanks for the fine recipe and instructions!
I love how you gave multiple options for cooking!
Pasture Pure Chickens all the way!