Everyday Mom's Meals: Smaller Holiday {A Post for Earth Fare}
_____

Monday, December 7, 2015

Smaller Holiday {A Post for Earth Fare}

All of your family members gathered around a huge table of food. House guests filling your home from December 20th until after the New Year. Holidays spent with those whom you love most in the world. For many of us, these are the images that come to mind when we think about Christmas...even if it isn't the reality. Sure, we would all love to be with every single family member at some point over the holiday season, but for most of us, it just isn't practical.

Many of our families are spread all over the country, and getting everyone in the same place to celebrate can't happen. I know many families who will only have a few people at their Christmas table. In fact, mine is kind of like that. We spend Christmas Day with my parents, just the 3 of us. So that makes 5. It is normal for us, and our little group is perfect to us, but so many out there will have that or even less. Now, for us, we still make a huge spread, but if you aren't in the mood to roast a 15 pound turkey for just a few people, I think this would be an incredibly delicious alternative.

There were a few years when it was just my mom, dad and I, and we had a roast chicken on our table. About 4 pounds, just enough for the three of us, but juicy, flavorful and just as festive. If only mom would have had a Crock Pot. She could have done this instead, and totally cut down on the stress of "If the chicken cooks at this temp, but this ____ cooks at that temp, how do I make it work."

This is some of the most tender and moist chicken I've ever made at home. And yes, before you ask it really does taste like those store bought rotisserie chickens we all enjoy so much. With this, some mashed potatoes, a veggie, cranberry sauce, rolls and dessert, and your smaller holiday meal can be complete and just as holly jolly its huge counterpart.

Not having a house full of people might be a little different than what some are accustomed to this time of year, but the smaller, more intimate holidays can be just as fun, special and of course, yummy!

Crock Pot Rotisserie Style Chicken
1 (4-5 lb.) roasting chicken, patted dry
3 tsp. kosher salt
1 tsp. paprika, plus extra for sprinkling
1 tsp. onion powder
1 tsp. garlic powder
1/2 tsp. dried thyme
1 tsp. Italian seasoning
1/2 tsp. black pepper
Dried Parsley

Spray 6 quart crock pot with nonstick spray. In a small bowl combine all ingredients except chicken and parsley. Rub chicken thoroughly with mixture, including inside cavity. Using string or metal prongs, attach legs and wings to body of chicken to ensure it staying together. Place in crock pot. Sprinkle with extra paprika. ADD NO EXTRA LIQUID. Cook on LOW for 6-8 hours. When done, baste with juices and sprinkle with dried parsley. *NOTE* Mine came out perfectly golden brown and crispy, but if yours does not, just transfer to a baking dish and broil for 5-7 minutes.







Shared at Weekend Potluck

1 comment:

Unknown said...

Thanks so much. Made it for my Sunday dinner. Very Very tasty!