The best part about making roast chicken is that you can cook your sides at the same time, in the same pan. I always like to add different kinds of veggies – my family seems to enjoy red onions and potatoes best. I also love roasting a bunch of garlic, too – the flavor gets so soft and sweet after roasting. If you’d like, you could make your favorite gravy to go with this, or serve with mashed potatoes, for a change! And don’t forget – the leftovers will make absolutely stunning sandwiches the next day!

Ingredients

One whole (4 to 5 pounds) chicken

Coarse kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

2 tablespoons plus 1 1/2 teaspoons sweet paprika

1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin

1/4 to 3/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes

3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 smallish lemon

5 tablespoons Bertolli olive oil, plus more for the baking sheet

2 small (about 3/4 pounds total) orange-fleshed sweet potatoes, unpeeled

1 pound cauliflower, cut into 1-inch florets

1 red onion, cut into 8 wedges

Instructions:

Preheat the oven to 450°F (232°C). Slick a heavy large rimmed baking sheet–preferably not a roasting pan, but if you do use a roasting pan, make it a big one–with a little oil.

Pull out and discard the fat and giblets from the cavity of the chicken. Pat the chicken very dry with paper towels. Starting at the edge of the main cavity, slide a finger under the skin over each breast half, making a pocket between the skin and meat. Rub a total of 1 tablespoon of salt over the chicken skin and toss a little salt inside the cavity. Sprinkle the chicken generously with black pepper.

In a small bowl, mix the paprika, cumin, pepper flakes, and cinnamon. Set aside 2 1/2 teaspoons of the spice mixture for the vegetables. The rest is for the chicken. Finely grate the zest from the lemon, cut the lemon into quarters, and mix the zest into the spices for the chicken. Gradually mix in 2 tablespoons of the olive oil to make a paste. Spread a little of the paste inside the cavity, slather some of it under the skin over the chicken breasts, and rub the rest of the paste all over the outside of the chicken. Toss the lemon quarters inside the cavity. Tie the legs together, if desired. Place the chicken in the center of the baking sheet and roast for 30 minutes. Keep an eye on it and if it browns too quickly cover it loosely with a sheet of foil.

Meanwhile, cut the sweet potatoes in half crosswise, and then quarter each half lengthwise to create wedges. Combine the sweet potatoes, cauliflower, and onion in a bowl. Add the remaining 3 tablespoons oil and toss to coat. Add the reserved spice mixture, sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon each salt and pepper, and toss to coat.

After the chicken has roasted for 30 minutes, remove it from the oven. Tilt the sheet pan and spoon off most of the fat. Return the chicken to the center of the sheet and spoon the vegetables around it. Return the pan to the oven and continue roasting until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of a thigh registers 165°F (74°C), about 40 minutes longer, depending on the size of the bird. (Note: the bird will take longer to roast if the legs have been tied together. It will also take longer if you ended up with a behemoth bird that’s closer to five pounds than four.) If the skin is getting too dark before the meat is done, reduce the oven temperature to 425°F (218°C).

Transfer the chicken to a platter and let rest for 10 minutes. Carve the chicken and serve with the vegetables.

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Quick tip: Add any of your favorite veggies!