Maple-Roasted Chicken with Sweet Potatoes

This is a great recipe. We had it for dinner last night. It is from Real Simple. It was really simple to make.

I'm going to make it next time with all chicken breasts because Stephen doesn't like dark meat. It is cheapest if you buy the whole chicken and cut it into pieces yourself, but cutting it does take extra time. Oh, speaking of thyme. I have it growing here if you want to save the money and not buy the fresh thyme, just stop by and cut, no need to ask!

Also, I used the meat thermometer instead of just setting the timer for 1 hour and 15 minutes and it was done in about half that time. If you cooked the chicken whole, I guess it would take that long.

So here's the recipe with my changes for next time in italics:

Recipe for Maple-Roasted Chicken with Sweet Potatoes

1 chicken (3-1/2- to 4-pounds), cut into 8 pieces TRY 4 BONE-IN BREASTS
1 yellow onion, cut into 1-inch wedges
2 small sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks TRY 2 LARGE SWEET POTATOES
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
3 tablespoons maple syrup
6 sprigs fresh thyme TRY PULLING OFF STEMS FIRST

Heat oven to 400° F. Rinse the chicken and pat it dry. Arrange the chicken, onion, and sweet potatoes in a 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Drizzle the oil over the chicken and vegetables and season with the salt and pepper. Toss to coat. Drizzle with the maple syrup and top with the sprigs of thyme.

Roast, stirring the vegetables once, until the chicken is cooked through, about 1 hour, 15 minutes. USE MEAT THERMOMETER. Let rest for 10 minutes before serving.

TRY SHREDDING CHICKEN AND SERVING WITH JUICES POURED ON TOP

Tip: The maple glaze can also be used with a whole chicken or Cornish game hens.

Yield: Serves 4

CALORIES 625.18 (49% from fat); FAT 34.5g (sat 8.64g); CHOLESTEROL 222.91mg; CALCIUM 59.39mg; CARBOHYDRATE 19g; SODIUM 457.81mg; PROTEIN 56.66mg; FIBER 1.41g; IRON 3.98mg

Adapted from recipe in Real Simple, DECEMBER 2005
http://food.realsimple.com/realsimple/recipefinder.dyn?action=displayRecipe&recipe_id=1132509