Name: Roast chicken with fennel & olives
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Yield: 4
Ingredients: 6 tbsp olive oil -; 2 large fennel bulbs , cut into thin wedges -; 4 large garlic cloves , peeled and bashed -; 1 ½kg whole chicken -; 1 lemon , halved -; ½ small bunch of thyme -; 2 x 400g cans chopped tomatoes -; 100g pitted black olives -; 250g quick-cook polenta -; 70g grated parmesan -

Ingredients for - Roast chicken with fennel & olives

1. 6 tbsp olive oil

2. 2 large fennel bulbs , cut into thin wedges

3. 4 large garlic cloves , peeled and bashed

4. 1 ½kg whole chicken

5. 1 lemon , halved

6. ½ small bunch of thyme

7. 2 x 400g cans chopped tomatoes

8. 100g pitted black olives

9. 250g quick-cook polenta

10. 70g grated parmesan

How to cook deliciously - Roast chicken with fennel & olives

1 . Stage

Heat the oven to 190C/170C fan/gas 5. Toss 2 tbsp of the oil with the fennel and garlic and spread out on a tray. Rub the chicken with a further 2 tbsp oil, push the lemon halves and thyme into the carcass and season the skin generously. Sit the chicken in the tin and roast for 1 hr, then stir through the tomatoes and olives, season and return to the oven for 20-25 mins, or until the chicken is cooked through. To check, pierce the thigh with a skewer – the juices should run clear.

2 . Stage

Cook the polenta following pack instructions, then stir through the remaining olive oil and parmesan and season to taste. Carve the chicken and serve with the tomato sauce and cheesy polenta.