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Italian roast chicken with peppers and olives

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Italy

Known as an Italian recipe, with similar versions prepared across other nations.

Ingredients 10 ingredients

  1. 1 x 1.5kg/3lb 5oz chicken (preferably organic)
  2. 1 unwaxed lemon, cut in half
  3. 4 sprigs rosemary
  4. 3 leeks, washed and trimmed
  5. 2 red peppers
  6. 1 orange pepper
  7. 1 yellow pepper
  8. 100g/3½oz pitted dry-packed black olives
  9. 4 tbsp olive oil
  10. Sea salt flakes and freshly ground black pepper, to serve

Possible health benefits

General information, not medical advice.

  1. Chicken as food High in niacin · High in vitamin B6 · High in protein · +6

    High in niacin · 5.6 mg per 100 g, 35% of the reference intake per 100 g

    • Niacin contributes to normal energy-yielding metabolism.
    • Niacin contributes to normal functioning of the nervous system.
    • Niacin contributes to normal psychological function.
    3 more authorised claims
    • Niacin contributes to the maintenance of normal mucous membranes.
    • Niacin contributes to the maintenance of normal skin.
    • Niacin contributes to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue.

    Niacin (also called vitamin B3) helps turn the food you eat into the energy you need. Niacin is important for the development and function of the cells in your body. NIH fact sheet

    High in vitamin B6 · 0.5 mg per 100 g, 37% of the reference intake per 100 g

    • Vitamin B6 contributes to normal cysteine synthesis.
    • Vitamin B6 contributes to normal energy-yielding metabolism.
    • Vitamin B6 contributes to normal functioning of the nervous system.
    7 more authorised claims
    • Vitamin B6 contributes to normal homocysteine metabolism.
    • Vitamin B6 contributes to normal protein and glycogen metabolism.
    • Vitamin B6 contributes to normal psychological function.
    • Vitamin B6 contributes to normal red blood cell formation.
    • Vitamin B6 contributes to the normal function of the immune system.
    • Vitamin B6 contributes to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue.
    • Vitamin B6 contributes to the regulation of hormonal activity.

    Vitamin B6 is a vitamin that is naturally present in many foods. The body needs vitamin B6 for more than 100 enzyme reactions involved in metabolism. NIH fact sheet

    High in protein · 17 g per 100 g, 49% of the energy from protein

    • Protein contributes to a growth in muscle mass.
    • Protein contributes to the maintenance of muscle mass.
    • Protein contributes to the maintenance of normal bones.

    Source of riboflavin · 0.2 mg per 100 g, 17% of the reference intake per 100 g

    • Riboflavin contributes to normal energy-yielding metabolism.
    • Riboflavin contributes to normal functioning of the nervous system.
    • Riboflavin contributes to the maintenance of normal mucous membranes.
    6 more authorised claims
    • Riboflavin contributes to the maintenance of normal red blood cells.
    • Riboflavin contributes to the maintenance of normal skin.
    • Riboflavin contributes to the maintenance of normal vision.
    • Riboflavin contributes to the normal metabolism of iron.
    • Riboflavin contributes to the protection of cells from oxidative stress.
    • Riboflavin contributes to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue.

    Riboflavin (also called vitamin B2) is important for the growth, development, and function of the cells in your body. It also helps turn the food you eat into the energy you need. NIH fact sheet

    Source of vitamin B12 · 0.6 µg per 100 g, 22% of the reference intake per 100 g

    • Vitamin B12 contributes to normal energy-yielding metabolism.
    • Vitamin B12 contributes to normal functioning of the nervous system.
    • Vitamin B12 contributes to normal homocysteine metabolism.
    5 more authorised claims
    • Vitamin B12 contributes to normal psychological function.
    • Vitamin B12 contributes to normal red blood cell formation.
    • Vitamin B12 contributes to the normal function of the immune system.
    • Vitamin B12 contributes to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue.
    • Vitamin B12 has a role in the process of cell division.

    Vitamin B12 is a nutrient that helps keep your body’s blood and nerve cells healthy and helps make DNA, the genetic material in all of your cells. NIH fact sheet

    Source of pantothenic acid · 1.1 mg per 100 g, 18% of the reference intake per 100 g

    • Pantothenic acid contributes to normal energy-yielding metabolism.
    • Pantothenic acid contributes to normal mental performance.
    • Pantothenic acid contributes to normal synthesis and metabolism of steroid hormones, vitamin D and some neurotransmitters.
    1 more authorised claims
    • Pantothenic acid contributes to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue.

    Pantothenic acid (also called vitamin B5) helps turn the food you eat into the energy you need. It’s important for many functions in the body, especially making and breaking down fats. NIH fact sheet

    Source of potassium · 522 mg per 100 g, 26% of the reference intake per 100 g

    • Potassium contributes to normal functioning of the nervous system.
    • Potassium contributes to normal muscle function.
    • Potassium contributes to the maintenance of normal blood pressure.

    Potassium is a mineral found in many foods. Your body needs potassium for almost everything it does, including proper kidney and heart function, muscle contraction, and nerve transmission. NIH fact sheet

    Source of phosphorus · 178 mg per 100 g, 25% of the reference intake per 100 g

    • Phosphorus contributes to normal energy-yielding metabolism.
    • Phosphorus contributes to normal function of cell membranes.
    • Phosphorus contributes to the maintenance of normal bones.
    1 more authorised claims
    • Phosphorus contributes to the maintenance of normal teeth.

    Phosphorus is a mineral contained in each cell in our body. Most phosphorus is in the bones and teeth, and some is in your genes. NIH fact sheet

    Source of selenium · 10 µg per 100 g, 19% of the reference intake per 100 g

    • Selenium contributes to normal spermatogenesis.
    • Selenium contributes to the maintenance of normal hair.
    • Selenium contributes to the maintenance of normal nails.
    3 more authorised claims
    • Selenium contributes to the normal function of the immune system.
    • Selenium contributes to the normal thyroid function.
    • Selenium contributes to the protection of cells from oxidative stress.

    Selenium is a nutrient that the body needs to stay healthy. Your thyroid gland needs selenium to produce hormones and function properly. NIH fact sheet

    Nutrients per 100 g of “Chicken, ground, raw”, USDA FoodData Central.

  2. Lemon High in vitamin C · Source of protein

    High in vitamin C · 53 mg per 100 g, 66% of the reference intake per 100 g

    • Vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of blood vessels.
    • Vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of bones.
    • Vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of cartilage.
    11 more authorised claims
    • Vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of gums.
    • Vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of skin.
    • Vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of teeth.
    • Vitamin C contributes to normal energy-yielding metabolism.
    • Vitamin C contributes to normal functioning of the nervous system.
    • Vitamin C contributes to normal psychological function.
    • Vitamin C contributes to the normal function of the immune system.
    • Vitamin C contributes to the protection of cells from oxidative stress.
    • Vitamin C contributes to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue.
    • Vitamin C contributes to the regeneration of the reduced form of vitamin E.
    • Vitamin C increases iron absorption.

    Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is a water-soluble nutrient found in some foods. In the body, it acts as an antioxidant, helping to protect cells from the damage caused by free radicals. NIH fact sheet

    Source of protein · 1.1 g per 100 g, 15% of the energy from protein

    • Protein contributes to a growth in muscle mass.
    • Protein contributes to the maintenance of muscle mass.
    • Protein contributes to the maintenance of normal bones.

    Nutrients per 100 g of “Lemons, raw, without peel”, USDA FoodData Central.

  3. Bell pepper High in vitamin C · High in protein · Source of vitamin B6

    High in vitamin C · 83 mg per 100 g, 103% of the reference intake per 100 g

    • Vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of blood vessels.
    • Vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of bones.
    • Vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of cartilage.
    11 more authorised claims
    • Vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of gums.
    • Vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of skin.
    • Vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of teeth.
    • Vitamin C contributes to normal energy-yielding metabolism.
    • Vitamin C contributes to normal functioning of the nervous system.
    • Vitamin C contributes to normal psychological function.
    • Vitamin C contributes to the normal function of the immune system.
    • Vitamin C contributes to the protection of cells from oxidative stress.
    • Vitamin C contributes to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue.
    • Vitamin C contributes to the regeneration of the reduced form of vitamin E.
    • Vitamin C increases iron absorption.

    Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is a water-soluble nutrient found in some foods. In the body, it acts as an antioxidant, helping to protect cells from the damage caused by free radicals. NIH fact sheet

    High in protein · 1.7 g per 100 g, 25% of the energy from protein

    • Protein contributes to a growth in muscle mass.
    • Protein contributes to the maintenance of muscle mass.
    • Protein contributes to the maintenance of normal bones.

    Source of vitamin B6 · 0.4 mg per 100 g, 26% of the reference intake per 100 g

    • Vitamin B6 contributes to normal cysteine synthesis.
    • Vitamin B6 contributes to normal energy-yielding metabolism.
    • Vitamin B6 contributes to normal functioning of the nervous system.
    7 more authorised claims
    • Vitamin B6 contributes to normal homocysteine metabolism.
    • Vitamin B6 contributes to normal protein and glycogen metabolism.
    • Vitamin B6 contributes to normal psychological function.
    • Vitamin B6 contributes to normal red blood cell formation.
    • Vitamin B6 contributes to the normal function of the immune system.
    • Vitamin B6 contributes to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue.
    • Vitamin B6 contributes to the regulation of hormonal activity.

    Vitamin B6 is a vitamin that is naturally present in many foods. The body needs vitamin B6 for more than 100 enzyme reactions involved in metabolism. NIH fact sheet

    Nutrients per 100 g of “Pepper, banana, raw”, USDA FoodData Central.

  4. Orange High in vitamin C · Source of folate

    High in vitamin C · 71 mg per 100 g, 89% of the reference intake per 100 g

    • Vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of blood vessels.
    • Vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of bones.
    • Vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of cartilage.
    11 more authorised claims
    • Vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of gums.
    • Vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of skin.
    • Vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of teeth.
    • Vitamin C contributes to normal energy-yielding metabolism.
    • Vitamin C contributes to normal functioning of the nervous system.
    • Vitamin C contributes to normal psychological function.
    • Vitamin C contributes to the normal function of the immune system.
    • Vitamin C contributes to the protection of cells from oxidative stress.
    • Vitamin C contributes to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue.
    • Vitamin C contributes to the regeneration of the reduced form of vitamin E.
    • Vitamin C increases iron absorption.

    Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is a water-soluble nutrient found in some foods. In the body, it acts as an antioxidant, helping to protect cells from the damage caused by free radicals. NIH fact sheet

    Source of folate · 30 µg per 100 g, 15% of the reference intake per 100 g

    • Folate contributes to maternal tissue growth during pregnancy.
    • Folate contributes to normal amino acid synthesis.
    • Folate contributes to normal blood formation.
    5 more authorised claims
    • Folate contributes to normal homocysteine metabolism.
    • Folate contributes to normal psychological function.
    • Folate contributes to the normal function of the immune system.
    • Folate contributes to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue.
    • Folate has a role in the process of cell division.

    Folate is a B-vitamin that is naturally present in many foods. Your body needs folate to make DNA and other genetic material. NIH fact sheet

    Nutrients per 100 g of “Oranges, raw, with peel”, USDA FoodData Central.

Claims: EU Register of health claims (Regulation (EU) No 432/2012, © European Union, CC BY 4.0), shown only where the ingredient meets the claim's conditions (Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006). Nutrients: USDA FoodData Central (CC0). Facts: NIH Office of Dietary Supplements (public domain).

Cook safely

Keep children and pets away from the hob and the oven, and keep oven gloves and a lid within reach.

  • Oven and hot trays. Use dry oven gloves for trays and dishes: a hot tray looks just like a cold one. Open the oven door away from your face and let the first rush of heat out.
  • Sharp knives. Cut on a board that doesn't slip (a damp cloth under it helps), and curl the fingers of the hand that holds the food.

Method

  1. Preheat the oven to 200C/400F/Gas 6. Untruss the chicken, sit it in a roasting tin and put the lemon halves and two of the rosemary sprigs into the chicken’s cavity.
  2. Wash and trim the leeks, cut each into three logs, then slice lengthways and add to the tin. Now remove the core and seeds of the peppers and slice them into strips, following their natural curves and ridges, and add these to the tin.
  3. Tumble in the olives, and now pour the olive oil, mostly over the vegetables but a little over the chicken, too. Add the remaining rosemary sprigs to the vegetables, along with some sea salt flakes and freshly ground black pepper, to taste. Using a couple of spoons or spatulas, gently toss the vegetables about to help coat them with the oil and make sure everything’s well mixed up.
  4. Sprinkle some sea salt flakes over the chicken and put it in the oven for about 1-1¼ hours, by which time the chicken should be cooked through, and its juices running clear when you cut into the flesh with a small sharp knife at the thickest part of the thigh joint. The vegetables should be tender by now, too, and some of the leeks will be a scorched light-brown in parts.
  5. Remove the chicken to a carving board and, while it rests (for about 10 minutes) pop the pan of veg back in the oven, switching the oven off as you do so.
  6. Cut the chicken up chunkily, transferring the pieces to a large warmed platter. Now take the pan back out of the oven and, with a slotted spoon or spatula, remove the vegetables to the large platter and when all is arranged to your aesthetic delight, pour over it all the bronze, highly-flavoured juices that have collected in the pan.

Plating

Cookware for this recipe

  • Roasting tin
  • Chef's knife
  • Cutting board
  • Spatula
  • Slotted spoon
Source Not stated: saved from a website or mailing list, rights unverified
Credit

By: Nigella Lawson. From the programme: Nigellissima. Saved from BBC Food, file Recipes/bbcfood-archives/italian_roast_chicken_88087.html in the Internet Archive item cooking-recipes (https://archive.org/details/cooking-recipes).

What was changed: Read by machine from the bbc-food-html text: title, ingredients and method as written, columns closed up and wrapped lines joined; credit lines kept apart; e-mail addresses removed; an all-capitals title given ordinary capitals. Not rewritten.