1 Ninja Foodi MAX 14-in-1 SmartLid Multi-Cooker 7.5L OL650UK or Ninja Speedi or any Ninja with the steam air fry function, including the Ninja Foodi 11 in 1 or 15 in 1
1 Meat Thermometer like the Meater+ or Thermapen, see equipment section below (handy but not essential)
1 ramekin or small bowl for melting the butter
1 silicone brush
Ingredients
4mediumpotatoesquartered
2mediumparsnipshalved or quartered lengthwise, it's okay if some are bigger than the others
5-6clovesgarlicleft whole and unpeeled
300mlcold waterI have even made it with 500 ml water (above all in the Speedi)
1tablespoonvegetable stock pasteget the recipe or use a stock cube or stock melt. or you could use 300 ml stock of your choice
1tablespoonItalian seasoningor mixed herbs
1.9kgwhole chicken, it can be a chicken anywhere between 1.7 and 2 kg (3.5 - 4lb)it was untrussed so I tied the legs together but you could leave them as is
25gunsalted butteror dairy-free spread, I like Pure Dairy Free Buttery Taste
Marinade
50gunsalted butter
1tablespoonItalian seasoning or mixed herbs
1good pinchsalt
black pepper
Gravy
100mlred winedon’t have wine or don’t want the expense? 75-100 g passata and a splash of red wine vinegar or balsamic vinegar will do it
Instructions
Place the 4 medium potatoes, 2 medium parsnips and 5-6 cloves garlic in the inner pot along with 300 ml cold water (I've been known to use 500 ml) + (1 tablespoon vegetable stock paste or a stock cube or a tablespoon or bouillon) + the 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning.
4 medium potatoes, 2 medium parsnips, 5-6 cloves garlic, 300 ml cold water, 1 tablespoon vegetable stock paste, 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
Slice about 25 g unsalted butter and place under the breast skin (see video). You'll see me truss the chicken in the video but there's no need, honestly.
1.9 kg whole chicken, it can be a chicken anywhere between 1.7 and 2 kg (3.5 - 4lb), 25 g unsalted butter
Place the trivet in place and the chicken on top or the chicken straight on the vegetables. Wash your hands well, you've just touched raw meat.
Melt the 50 g unsalted butter and mix with the 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning , 1 good pinch salt and black pepper.
1 tablespoon Italian seasoning, 50 g unsalted butter, 1 good pinch salt, black pepper
Brush the 1.9 kg whole chicken, it can be a chicken anywhere between 1.7 and 2 kg (3.5 - 4lb) (it can be larger, it can be smaller, this was the size of mine) with the melted butter.
Close the lid. Move the SmartLid slider to the middle position (SteamCrisp).
Programme 40 minutes at 180ºC. Timings are always going to depend on the chicken (plumper chickens, above all around the breast will take longer to cook, no comment, I refer you to the video). A meat thermometer comes in handy to check internal temperature .
It takes approximately 15 minutes to warm up before the countdown starts automatically. While it warms up, the display will say 'Pre'.
Remove the chicken and let it rest while you give the vegetables 5 more minutes to roast further. If you're up to the task, you can also remove the liquid and drizzle them in olive oil and they'll roast faster and better. Use Air Fry setting at max temperature for this.
Once done, remove them too and set the cooker to Sauté on the higher level (Hi 5), leaving the lid open, to reduce the gravy. Add a good amount of red wine approx 100 ml red wine (or the passata / vinegar option).
100 ml red wine
You can also blend the sauce with the carrots (and garlic if using, after squeezing it out of the skin) for a luscious sauce (1 minute speed 9-10 will be more than enough in the Thermomix).