Virginia has and always will be my home. I love it here. It has the best of everything I could ever want: beaches, mountains, farms, city life, and it's rich history.
We recently took a day trip to Colonial Williamsburg. It's one of our favorite places to go and one can't help but think when walking on the cobble stone roads , " How many people have traveled this path over the centuries?". It's amazing to me that our fore fathers and other early Americans lived here and it's nice to see that they have preserved some of the town! If you ever are in the area you must visit!!!
There is so much to do from shopping, restaurants, tours, and festivals! We also noticed how their gardens were structured... I'm not sure of the reasoning to the criss-cross pathways through each garden. Maybe it was an organization method or maybe a take on a " stroll through the garden". I'm very interested, so if anyone knows comment below! I definitely want to replicate this in my future home someday!
You will get VERY much acquainted with the bird you choose! Trust me though, it is totally worth it! You will want to make this again and again!
You Need:
- 1 whole chicken ( 3-4lbs)
- Sharp Kitchen Shears
- 1 cup of water mixed with salt
- 2 tbs unsalted butter
- salt & pepper
- 1 cup of skim milk
- 2 tbs whole wheat flour
Directions:
Preheat oven to 390 degrees.
Place the bird on a cutting board.
Remove the back bone by using very sharp kitchen shears and discard or save for later use in a stock.
Lay the bird flat ( insides down) in a large oven proof skillet. And press very hard on the breast bone to break it so it lies completely flat.
Pour the water/salt mixture in the skillet.
Grind fresh black pepper liberally all over the chicken and put the unsalted butter on top of the bird.
Cover the skillet with lid and roast in oven for 30 minutes.
After 30 minutes has gone by, flip the bird ( no pun intended ;)) carefully over and place lid back on for an additional 30 minutes in the oven until chicken is thoroughly cooked through.
Place the chicken aside on a hot plate.
In the same skillet with the drippings, heat skillet to medium heat.
Add the flour and milk and stir until smooth and boiling. Serve in gravy boat.
Enjoy!
I paired this dish with my Rosemary Lavender Smashed Potatoes ( will post soon!), sauteed mushrooms, and steamed asparagus! You could also turn the leftovers into a great salad, sandwich, or a wrap the next day!
I also had a helper!
Calories: 211, Fat: 9g, Carbs: 4.4 g, Protein: 27.3 g,
Williamsburg Smothered Flat Roasted Chicken
- Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Yield: 5
Description
A whole chicken is flat roasted and smothered in gravy
Ingredients
- - 1 whole chicken ( 3-4lbs)
- - Sharp Kitchen Shears
- - 1 cup of water mixed with salt
- - 2 tbs unsalted butter
- - salt & pepper
- - 1 cup of skim milk
- - 2 tbs whole wheat flour
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 390 degrees.
- Place the bird on a cutting board.
- Remove the back bone by using very sharp kitchen shears and discard or save for later use in a stock.
- Lay the bird flat ( insides down) in a large oven proof skillet. And press very hard on the breast bone to break it so it lies completely flat.
- Pour the water/salt mixture in the skillet.
- Grind fresh black pepper liberally all over the chicken and put the unsalted butter on top of the bird.
- Cover the skillet with lid and roast in oven for 30 minutes.
- After 30 minutes has gone by, flip the bird ( no pun intended ;)) carefully over and place lid back on for an additional 30 minutes in the oven until chicken is thoroughly cooked through.
- Place the chicken aside on a hot plate.
- In the same skillet with the drippings, heat skillet to medium heat.
- Add the flour and milk and stir until smooth and boiling. Serve in gravy boat.
- Enjoy!
- Prep Time: 20
- Cook Time: 60
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
Lisa @ The Wellness Wife says
Had to stop by and check out this post because I live in Williamsburg. I took the same exact picture of the "criss cross" garden on Saturday! Glad you love it so much! I'm pinning this recipe. Visiting from Virginia Bloggers.
[email protected] says
Thank you do much!!! You are a lucky gal to live there!! We hope to live there some day as well! Hope you enjoy this chicken dish as much as we did!!
Lisa @ The Wellness Wife says
Let me know if you ever move down or are visiting. We can get together and talk about blog growing pains. I'm working on a Travel Healthy to Williamsburg blog post so keep an eye out for it. And check out the great wellness businesses that advertise on my blog the next time you are going to be in town.
[email protected] says
Absolutely! Would love to get together! We visit pretty often since my parents live out that way and for Busch Gardens! I will let you know when I will be in town! 🙂
Leigh Ann says
This looks amazing! Glad you guys had fun in Williamsburg!!
IHeartVegetables says
Wow, my family would love this!!! That is so cool that you found a recipe from so long ago!
valmg @ From Val's Kitchen says
Your gravy looks amazing! I am the worst at gravy.
[email protected] says
Thank you! I am usually pretty bad at it myself! I was pleasantly surprised it turned out so good! Haha unfortunately after I was done with the photo shoot and cleaning it up, I found my cat Max drinking it from the gravy boat ( it was the last thing left on the table as I was going back and forth) ...so I had to toss the rest. sigh lol
Jenn Kurkiewicz says
YUM, looks delicious! 🙂
Renee - Kudos Kitchen says
What a lovely recipe and I adore your black and white photo! I've not been to Williamsburg since I was a kid but now I want to go back! Thanks for sharing all the photos!
Susan P. (@littleredkitchn) says
The term for this recipe is so much better than what I know it as - which is spatchock (horrible word, yes?). Looks like a great recipe and pretty photos of the garden.
Kim (Feed Me, Seymour) says
I've been wanting to make a flat roasted chicken forever now. I'm so glad you posted this! It resparked my interest!
ecavalla says
Yum- the chicken looks delicious! And I live in Williamsburg...so glad you enjoyed your visit!
[email protected] says
That's awesome you live there! How lucky! We hope to settle down there one day when we leave Fredericksburg
Cravings of a Lunatic says
I love this recipe so much, chicken is one of my favourites. Your helper is too cute for words.
angiemcgowanAngie says
This chicken looks so good! And your cat is a cutie, he looks alot like my guy that passed last year.
[email protected] says
Thank you! I'm sorry to hear about your kitty! 🙁 This is Fifi and she is a love able little helper in the kitchen 🙂
ashley says
Anything smothered in gravy is alright by me 🙂 Great meal idea!
The Food Hunter says
love your photos!