Clay Pot Baked Chicken

I had forgotten how easy it is to bake a whole chicken in a clay pot!

I inherited a clay pot from one of my friends, and I can only remember using it one other time in the few years that it's been in my possession.  Today's chicken was just as good as the last one!

And it's so simple, almost as simple as a crock pot:  completely submerge pot and cover in cold water and allow to soak for 30 minutes, then empty.  Cut vegetables and place in pot, place chicken on top of vegetables, sprinkle seasonings, cover and put into oven.  Then you turn the oven to 350 and set your timer for one hour.  After one hour, continue to cook in the oven uncovered for 20 - 30 minutes!  Easy!

I brined my chicken for 2 hours using water, salt and sugar.  I placed diced potatoes, onions, celery, baby carrots and mushrooms into the clay pot, threw in two sprigs of fresh rosemary, and then placed the chicken on top.  I sprinkled some seasoning powder on top, and then put it in the oven and set it at 350.  Do NOT preheat your oven prior to placing the clay pot inside.

The pot says "Apple Baker" on top.  I haven't made any apples in it yet, but I am sure that they would be delicious.

Bon appetite!