Stuffed Rooster with Croatian Flair

Ingredients

• 1 whole chicken (approximately 3-4 pounds / 1.4-1.8 kg) 1 whole chicken (approximately 3-4 pounds / 1.4-1.8 kg)
• 1 cup (200g) ground beef 1 cup (200g) ground beef
• 1 cup (200g) ground pork 1 cup (200g) ground pork
• 1 onion, finely chopped 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup (60ml) bread crumbs 1/4 cup (60ml) bread crumbs
• 1/4 cup (60ml) milk 1/4 cup (60ml) milk
• 1/4 cup (60ml) chicken broth 1/4 cup (60ml) chicken broth
• 2 tablespoons parsley, chopped 2 tablespoons parsley, chopped
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest 1 teaspoon lemon zest
• 1 teaspoon paprika 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons olive oil 2 tablespoons olive oil

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 450 kcal / 1884 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 25g, 8g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 10g, 2g
• Protein: 45g
• Fiber: 1g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
2. 2.
   In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, ground pork, chopped onion, minced garlic, bread crumbs, milk, chicken broth, parsley, lemon zest, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Mix well until all the ingredients are evenly incorporated.
3. 3.
   Rinse the chicken thoroughly and pat it dry with paper towels.
4. 4.
   Carefully loosen the skin of the chicken by gently sliding your fingers between the skin and the meat, being careful not to tear the skin.
5. 5.
   Stuff the chicken with the prepared mixture, making sure to evenly distribute it under the skin and inside the cavity.
6. 6.
   Rub the outside of the chicken with olive oil and sprinkle with a pinch of salt and paprika.
7. 7.
   Place the stuffed chicken on a roasting rack in a baking dish.
8. 8.
   Roast the chicken in the preheated oven for approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 75°C (165°F) and the skin is golden and crispy.
9. 9.
   Remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for 10-15 minutes before carving.
10. 10.
    Serve the Stuffed Rooster with your choice of side dishes and enjoy!

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Ground beef and pork — Make sure to use lean ground meat for a healthier option. If desired, you can substitute with ground turkey or chicken.
• Lemon zest — Use a microplane or fine grater to zest the lemon, being careful to only remove the outer yellow layer and avoid the bitter white pith.

Tips & Tricks

• For a crispier skin, you can increase the oven temperature to 200°C (400°F) for the last 10-15 minutes of cooking.
• If you prefer a milder flavor, reduce the amount of garlic and paprika in the stuffing mixture.
• Leftover Stuffed Rooster can be refrigerated and enjoyed cold the next day, or you can use the meat to make sandwiches or salads.

Serving advice

Serve the Stuffed Rooster as the centerpiece of your meal, accompanied by roasted vegetables such as carrots, potatoes, and Brussels sprouts. Garnish with fresh parsley for a pop of color.

Presentation advice

To enhance the presentation, tie the chicken legs together with kitchen twine before roasting. This will help the bird maintain its shape and create an elegant appearance.