
It’s very traditional in the UK for lots of people to eat a large Sunday roast. This tradition dates back to medieval times. When food was in short supply on a Sunday people would eat a later breakfast. Then they would go to church and they would eat a later lunch. It meant that they would not need a meal in the evening.
Nowadays, we don’t really need to do this in the UK. Although we still all love a roast and I enjoy cooking them too. This recipe doesn’t have the traditional trimmings you would find with a roast. You cook potatoes with it if you want too. It’s quicker than a roast to prepare and cook. Plus it’s just as tasty. We loved it and we hope you will too. Below is a video and recipe for you.

What do you love cooking at the weekends? Let me know in the comments below and please don’t forget to like and follow me.

Equipment
- Sharp knife
- Chopping board
- Roasting tray
- Teaspoon
- Colander
- Large saucepan
Ingredients
- Chicken legs and thighs x 600g
- Onions x 1
- Tomatoes x 300g
- Red pepper x 1
- Fresh thyme x 3 – 6 sprigs or 1 – 2 tsp of dried
- Fresh oregano x 3 – 6 sprigs or 1 – 2 tsp of dried
- Rosemary x 3 – 6 sprigs or 1 – 2 tsp of dried
- Olive oil x 2 tbsp
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Rice x 300g
- Chicken or vegetable stock or bone broth x 600 – 800mls
- Spinach x 2 handfuls
- Coriander x 2 handfuls
Method
- Preheat the oven to 180°C or gas mark 4 and place the roasting tray into the oven as well.
- Peel and slice the red onion.
- Cut the top from the pepper and remove the core and the stalk.
- Slice the flesh of the pepper and set these ingredients to one side.
- Next slice the cherry tomatoes in half.
- When the oven has preheated remove the roasting tray from the oven.
- Put the vegetables in the bottom and drizzle with oil.
- Add in the herbs and sprinkle over salt and pepper to taste.
- Toss the vegetables in the oil, herbs and salt and pepper.
- Put the chicken legs and thighs on top and place the tray back in the oven.
- Cook for about 25 – 30 minutes or until the chicken turns golden brown and the juices run clear.
- To check the chicken is cooked put a skewer in and if the juices run clear it’s done.
- If not put back into the oven for 5 minutes and check again.
- Continue this process until the juice is clear.
- While the chicken is in the oven start to cook the rice.
- Start by measuring two centimetres on a wooden spoon.
- Measure your rice and pour it into the sieve.
- Wash the rice through twice under a tap.
- Put the washed rice into a saucepan.
- Flatten the rice down as much as possible until it’s all even spread across the base of the pan.
- Place the wooden soup on top of the rice.
- Pour over the water until it’s level with the line on the spoon.
- The water should be 2 centimetres above the above the top of the rice.
- Next put the hob on to a high heat and bring the water to the boil.
- Put the lid on and once it boils turn the heat down to a low simmer.
- Leave to cook for 30 – 40 minutes.
- Do not remove the lid during the cooking process.
- When the water looks like it has been absorbed by the rice then lift the lid.
- Give the rice a stir and if there is still water in the bottom pop the lid back on for five more minutes.
- Continue to do this until all the water has evaporated.
- Remove the lid completely and give the rice a stir.
- Set aside for a few minutes.
- Chop the spinach and coriander.
- Put these ingredients into the rice and stir until they start to wilt.
- Plate up the main dish and add the rice.
- Then serve and enjoy.

Easy Roast Chicken and Rice (Nice!) was a delicious dinner. It made a nice change from a traditional roast on a Sunday. As I mentioned earlier it was easy to prepare and cook. You could prep all the vegetables in advance of the meal but I wouldn’t bother to freeze it. It’s such a quick meal you won’t need too. Also it makes yummy leftovers the next day as well. However you decide to eat this dish, as always, please enjoy. Thank you xxx

