Preheat the oven to 400°F/200°C//Gas Mark 4
Bread - Cut the bread slices into cubes spread them on a baking pan and lightly toast them for 10 minutes. 4 cups Loaf bread cubes
Bacon - Place the bacon cubes into a frying pan. Cook on medium-high heat until almost all the fat is rendered. Remove the bacon from the pan and set aside. Drain excess fat, leaving a little to sauté.Pro tip - if you like bacon, leave all the bacon fat in the pan for sautéing. 4 slices Bacon
Sauté - In the same frying pan, sauté the chopped onions until light brown; add ginger, garlic, and green chilies. Saute for 2 minutes more. 1 large Onion, 1 inch French ginger, 3 large Garlic cloves, 2 large Green chilies
Veggies - Add the chicken parts (ofal) celery, and carrots. Cook, until veggies are almost cooked then add the green peas and cilantro leaves. Add the lemon juice, cinnamon powder, and sugar. Combine well.
1 cup Chicken spare parts, 1 large Carrot, 1 cup Celery, ¼ cup Green Peas, ¼ cup Cilantro leaves, ¼ cup Mint leaves
Combine - In a large bowl, combine the sautéed veggie mixture, bacon, toasted bread cubes, raisins, and almonds. Season with salt, pepper, and sugar. Set aside until ready to bake. Pro tip - this mixture can be made up to 24 hours ahead and left in the fridge, 1 tbsp Sugar, 8 - 10 Almonds, 2 tbsp Sour lime juice, 20 Black Raisins
Garlic butter marinade - In a small bowl, combine the softened butter, garlic, salt, and pepper.
½ cup Butter, 8 large Garlic
Prep the chicken - Clean and wipe dry the chicken. Season with salt and pepper making sure to season the chicken inside out. Then, generously spread the garlic butter marinade all over the chicken.
1.5 kg Chicken
Stuffing - Add the chicken stock to the prepared bread stuffing and toss well. Then, stuff the chicken cavity with the bread stuffing. Do not overstuff the chicken cavity otherwise, it will become soggy.
1/4 cup Chicken stock
Truss - Truss / Tie the chicken legs with the wings. This helps the chicken keep its shape during roasting.
Roasting pan - Use a roasting dish large enough for the chicken and extra stuffing. Place the chicken in the baking dish and spread the stuffing all around the chicken. Roast - Roast the chicken for 15 minutes on the center rack at 400°F/200°C//Gas Mark 4. Then, reduce the heat to 177°C / 350°F / Gas Mark 4. Continue roasting for another 30 to 35 minutes until the chicken is golden and cooked. Pro tip - The chicken is done when you poke a knife in the thickest part of the thigh. The juices should run clear.