Nothing beats the classics, and you can't go wrong with a British staple: the classic Roast Chicken Dinner recipe. This meal is bound to have both humans and dogs alike begging for more, with a juicy and flavourful protein source, and a rainbow of tasty roasted vegetables. Read on for our simple take on a hearty Sunday lunch, and relax knowing you've got a delicious treat coming up at the end of your week.

At Tilly & Ted, we think your pet deserves a seat at the table, and as such, all our pet foods are designed after dishes you could enjoy alongside your furry friend. They're so tantalisingly tasty, that you could (almost) eat them too. Although we wouldn’t recommend eating your dog’s food at the best of times, there’s nothing to make your pet feel part of the family than sharing a meal all together. Take a look at the mouth-watering recipe below for a classic and delicious Roast Chicken Dinner: best enjoyed alongside your waggy bestie whilst they tuck into our new Chicken Dinner with Country Vegetables pup recipe, designed with their enjoyment and health at its core.

Feeling peckish? Let's go!

Roast Dinner History

Ringing in as an absolute British classic, the humble roast dinner recipe has been around for a long while, satisfying hungry tummies every Sunday. The roast dinner can be traced back to as early as the 15th century in Britain, although its exact origins are debated by many. Some think that the roast originated under King Henry VII’s reign, as the term 'Beefeaters' for royal guards was also coined around this time (beef was a common meat used for roast dinners). The dish is also linked to religious origins, with some faiths abstaining from eating meat on certain days. With Sundays being the classic day for a roast dinner, this can also be tied to Christianity, with Sunday being their day of rest. Therefore, the whole family would be able to join together after church to enjoy a heartily prepared meal, solidifying the connections between a yummy roast dinner and a British family meal.

For our roast recipe, we wanted your special canine to enjoy the best of the best, so decided to go with the classic addition of chicken. Chicken is a fantastic protein source for pups, promoting easy digestion and energising flavour (psst...check out our recent post on our top 10 doggy superfoods, for more information on the health benefits of our meals).

This (human) recipe below uses chicken as well, just like our Chicken Dinner dog food. It’s packed with essential vitamins and a tasty kick - hopefully leaving you with a shiny coat and happy tummy, just like your pup.

Ingredients 

1 whole chicken

4 tbsp butter

2 tbsp olive oil

2 cloves of minced garlic

A handful of chopped fresh rosemary

A handful of chopped fresh thyme

Salt and pepper, to taste

6 medium potatoes

8 medium carrots

1 onion, peeled

Juice of 1 lemon

1 litre of chicken stock

Instructions

1) Set your oven to 180C fan.

2) Prepare your chicken by draining and removing giblets if needed, and patting the skin dry with kitchen roll.

3) In a small bowl, mash the butter, garlic, chopped herbs, salt, and pepper together until combined.

4) Chop the potatoes into 2cm chunks, then cut the carrots into lengths. Cut the onion in half, then cut each half into quarters for a total of 8 wedge shaped pieces.

5) Place the chicken in a large roasting pan, and scatter the vegetables in an even layer around it. Gently loosen the chicken skin covering the breast meat, and slide about 1/3 of the herb butter mixture under the skin.

6) Spread the remaining butter mixture over the vegetables. Mix the lemon juice together with half of the chicken stock, and pour it over the vegetables.

7) Brush the chicken all over with the olive oil to help the skin get nice and crispy.

8) Roast the chicken for 1 hr 20 mins, and add the rest of the chicken stock if it’s looking dry. Cook for an additional 25 - 40 mins, or until the meat is cooked through and the vegetables are tender.

9) Serve straight from the pan. The pan juices can also be reserved and used to make a plentiful gravy to accompany your roast dinner.

Now your treat is ready to eat! If you've enjoyed this deliciously hearty meal, try one of our other recipes matched to our paw-some pet meals, such as our lovely Lamb Kebab or fantastic Fisherman's Pie.

And something for your pet… 

Why not give your pet a seat at the table, and let your paw-fect pal enjoy a delicious Chicken Dinner with Country Vegetables alongside you? Our yummy pet recipe is curated to satisfy your dog's cravings for hearty flavours and nutritious ingredients. Made with succulent chicken and a medley of vegetables, this classic collection of ingredients makes for a comforting meal for your pooch. If your pup prefers fishier dishes however, we highly recommend our Fisherman's Pie or Salmon Traybake for fish based meals that are just as protein-packed and scrummy.

Everything we include in our Tilly & Ted recipes has an important role to play. Our recipes are bursting with goodness and developed with purposeful nutrition, where every ingredient matters to make delicious and nutritious dishes for your furry friend. All our meals are 100% complete and balanced to ensure your pet gets everything it needs. Grubs up!