Prep Time

    •    Prep and cook time: 1 hour & 50 minutes
    •    Yield: Serves 2

Ingredients

    •    1 pear
    •    olive oil
    •    1 orange
    •    1/2 an onion
    •    2 cloves of garlic
    •    1 splash of brandy
    •    1 sprig of fresh sage
    •    1 large knob of butter
    •    a few sprigs of fresh thyme
    •    1 handful of dried cranberries
    •    150g free-range chicken livers
    •    1 handful of vac-packed chestnuts
    •    1 x 1.6 kg whole free-range chicken
    •    6 rashers of higher-welfare unsmoked streaky bason

Method

1. Peel, core and chop the pear, peel and finely chop the onion, then peel the garlic. Trim the chicken livers, removing any stringy bits.
2. Heat a frying pan on a medium heat, add a splash of oil and gently fry the pear, onion, garlic, chestnuts and sage leaves for 15 minutes, or until softened.
3. Add the butter, move the veg to one side, then add the livers. Season well and cook for a minute or so, then add the brandy and stir.
4. Cook on high for no more than 4 minutes, so the livers are still blushing inside; you’ll see them plump up. Overcooked, they’re tough, and we want them silky smooth.
5. Tip it all into a food processor and pulse till creamy, but with some texture. Stir in the cranberries, then spread out on a plate and pop in the fridge to cool for a few minutes.
6. Preheat your oven to full whack.
7. Gently push your fingers between the skin and chicken breast meat to create a pocket. Push the stuffing into it, pull back the skin and secure with a couple of cocktail sticks. Drizzle with oil and season well, rubbing it all over the meat.
8. Slice the orange into 6 wedges, then fit as many into the chicken’s cavity as you can – leave enough room for air to circulate – then transfer it to a roasting tray.
9. Place the bird in the oven, then turn down the heat to 190ºC/375ºF/gas 5. Cook for 1 hour 20 minutes in total, or until cooked, basting the chicken and covering the breast with bacon halfway through.
10. When done, transfer to a board to rest before carving. Sprinkle with thyme leaves and serve with lovely roast veggies.

This great family recipe is thanks to Jamie Oliver Recipes at https://www.jamieoliver.com/recipes/chicken-recipes/roast-chicken-for-two/