Pot-roast chicken with root vegetables and barley

A roast dinner with hardly any washing up – the dream is real! This hearty, Pot-roast chicken with root vegetables and barley recipe from Dr Rupy minimises food waste and costs just over £1 per portion.

Ingredients

• 1.5-1.8kg/3lb 5oz – 4lb chicken (free-range or organic, if possible)
• olive oil, for roasting
• ½ swede, peeled and chopped
• 3 carrots, cut into chunks
• 2 onions, chopped
• 100g/3½oz pearl barley
• 2 chicken stock cubes
• 500ml/18fl oz hot water
• 2 garlic cloves, flattened
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1 head spring greens, shredded
• salt and freshly ground black pepper

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 240C/220C Fan/Gas 9, or as high as it will go.

2. Put the chicken into a large casserole dish, drizzle with oil and season with salt and pepper. Roast for 15 minutes to brown the chicken, then remove from the oven and reduce the temperature to 220C/200C Fan/Gas 7.

3. Transfer the chicken to a plate, then put all the ingredients except the spring greens into the casserole. Lay the chicken on top and cover with the lid.

4. Set the casserole over a high heat for 3-4 minutes, until you hear the liquid in the bottom of the dish start to boil. Transfer to the oven and cook for 40 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through completely.

5. Carefully remove the chicken from the pan with a pair of forks or tongs and set aside to rest for 15-20 minutes.

6. Meanwhile, stir the spring greens into the vegetables and pearl barley, cover with a lid and leave to stand while the chicken rests.

7. Carve the chicken and serve with the vegetables.

Pot-roast chicken with root vegetables and barley