Paprika Roast Chicken

Ingredients:

• 1 large onion, sliced into 1/2-inch-thick rounds
• 1 (8 lb.) roasting chicken
• 3/4 tsp. salt
• 3/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
• 1 1/2 tsp. paprika
• 4 tsp. extra-virgin olive oil

Makes 12 (6 oz.) Servings

1. Heat the oven to 400 f. place onion slices in a single layer in a roasting pan. Rinse chicken under cold water and pat dry with paper towels. Sprinkle the inside cavity with 1/4 teaspoon of the salt and 1/4 teaspoon of the pepper.
2. Place chicken on top of onion slices, tuck the wings under, and tie the legs together. Combine remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper and paprika in a small bowl. Slide your hand under the skin of chicken breast to loosen skin. Rub chicken breast under skin with 1 teaspoon of the oil and most of paprika mixture. Press skin back down. Rub outside of skin with 2 teaspoons of remaining oil. Dust lightly with remaining paprika mixture.
3. Roast chicken for 30 minutes. Baste with remaining 1 teaspoon oil, then reduce oven temperature to 350 F. Continue to roast , basting every 30 minutes with accumulated pan juices, until a meat thermometer reads 180 F when placed into the thickest part of the thigh, about 1 1/2 hours. Allow chicken to rest for 15 minutes before serving hot with onions, if desired.

WW POINTS VALUE: 5 pts.

 

Note: This recipe appears in the South Beach Diet Parties & Holidays Cookbook. This recipe originally was intended to be served for a Hanukkah party but you can serve this chicken anytime of the year. Also, the original recipe calls for a roast chicken but you can roast chicken breasts in place of a whole chicken with the same ingredients but roast the chicken breasts for 25-30 minutes at 375 F. I also highly recommend adding garlic to the paprika mixture because garlic mixed with olive oil and onions is a heavenly mixture. This chicken recipe is a nice dish and a nice way to kick-start your new lifestyle. I also highly recommend using Garlic-Infused Olive Oil from the Imperial Olive in Williamsburg, VA. For more information, visit www.TheImperialOlive.com.