Foolproof slow roast chicken

• butter↗

  for greasing

• chicken↗1.6kg kg
• roasting potatoes1kg kg

  halved or quartered if large

• whole garlic heads↗2

  halved through the middle

• white wine↗100ml ml
• chicken stock↗100ml ml
• rosemary↗2 stems

  broken into sprigs

• bay leaves↗6
• lemon↗1

  cut into wedges

Step-by-step instructions

1. 1

   Heat oven to 160C/fan 140C/gas 3. Brush a large roasting tin all over with butter and smear some over the skin of the chicken.

2. 2

   Place the chicken in the tin and arrange the potatoes around it. Put the halved garlic heads in the tin, pour over the white wine and stock, then cover with foil and place in the oven. Cook for 1 hr then remove the foil and give the potatoes a shake. Add the herbs and lemon wedges, then cook uncovered for 50 mins.

3. 3

   Turn the heat up to 220C/fan 200C/gas 7. Cook for 30 mins more, then remove the chicken and potatoes from the pan. Cover the chicken loosely with foil and leave to rest on a plate for at least 10 mins before carving. Keep the potatoes warm. Serve with any pan juices.