Dinner Party Secrets & Roast Chicken

I know you.

You’re thinking about hosting a dinner party. And don’t think that a dinner party has to be some big, New Year’s, champagne-slinging, expensive, spend-all-night-in-the-kitchen gig.

No, no, no. This dinner party can be as chill and budget-friendly as you would like.

And you know what the key to that is? Here are a few keys from a somewhat seasoned dinner party hostess like me:

Buy a loaf of killer artisan bread from your favorite bakery (then just slice and warm in the oven)
Set out the butter to soften hours before the party and sprinkle with Maldon sea salt
If you drink, have wine or cocktails handy (it will make everyone feel better- the host included)
Make the dessert beforehand (hello easy cobbler, crisp, cookies or cake that can sit out for a few hours)
Use seasonal ingredients whenever you can (they will taste better and cook faster)
Go for a one-pot meal like a roast chicken

This Roast Chicken is made for dinner parties with an impressive, crispy skin and juicy inside. All you have to do is clean, peel and chop your veggies. Then, you layer them up in a Dutch oven or roasting pan, season, top with a whole chicken, drizzle with olive oil, top off with butter and throw in the oven. An hour and a half later, ta-da, you just made an incredibly tasty chicken and veg dinner.

I like to serve mine with some flavored cous cous from a box (real talk)…and bread, of course.

Also, one of my food goals for 2016 is officially checked off of the list.

Chicken…roasted!