By Jodee Weiland

I recently purchased a mesh roasting pan. This mesh basket can be used on a gas grill for roasted chicken and vegetables. I couldn’t wait to try it. So once it was delivered, I decided to do just that, a grill roasted chicken and vegetables. It turned out fabulous, and I am so happy I made this purchase. My Citrus Thyme Grill Roasted Chicken and Vegetables was delicious, and I felt the mesh basket made it easier to do!

I used fresh limes and thyme from my garden to season the chicken with a few additional seasonings. The roasted vegetables were cleaned and cut while the chicken began to cook on the grill. I then put extra virgin olive oil on all my vegetables which I seasoned with garlic, onion, sea salt, and ground black pepper to taste. I placed the vegetables in the mesh basket along the sides of the chicken during the last five to ten minutes, making sure they did not overcook. The result of this adventure in grilling was a wonderful dinner that was both delicious and healthy!

Citrus Thyme Grill Roasted Chicken and Vegetables

7 to 8 pound roasting chicken whole
Fresh thyme (small bunch)
4 to 5 fresh limes halved
Garlic powder to taste
Onion powder to taste
Parsley to taste
Sea salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste
Extra virgin olive oil (enough to coat the entire chicken and vegetables)
2 bell peppers (orange and yellow) each cut in four pieces with seeds removed
1 white onion cut four pieces
1 to 2 zucchinis washed and sliced with skin on in half in wide slices

Prepare the gas grill by heating to about 375 degrees, medium indirect heat. Prepare the chicken by rinsing it and removing extra pieces inside the chicken cavity. Once done, cut two limes in half and place the halves in the cavity with a small bunch of thyme tied together with twine. Brush olive oil liberally over the entire outer surface of the chicken. Then tie the legs together with twine. Squeeze the juice of one lime over the chicken. Place the chicken in the center of the mesh roasting pan/basket. Then sprinkle the chicken with garlic powder, onion powder, sea salt, ground black pepper, and parsley to taste. When done, place the basket on the racks of the gas barbecue grill. While cooking prepare the cut up vegetables by coating them with olive oil, and then seasoning them with garlic powder, onion powder, sea salt, and black pepper to taste.

My chicken cooked a little over two hours over the medium indirect heat, but we opened the lid several times for pictures. Times may vary, so use a meat thermometer to check on whether the chicken has reached the appropriate temperature to be done, approximately 180 degrees. When you cut your chicken, the breast meat should be white, not pink. In the last five to ten minutes of cooking, add the prepared vegetables on both sides of the chicken in the mesh basket. Watch the vegetables carefully, to be sure not to overcook. I prefer my al dente, but you may prefer them roasted more than that. It’s a personal choice.

My Citrus Thyme Grill Roasted Chicken and Vegetables is both delicious and healthy! Let the chicken sit for a few minutes before carving the meat. Serve with a white wine and the roasted vegetables. If you want, add a crusty loaf of bread or baked potatoes. Whatever you decide, you will love this delicious meal, so enjoy!