ROASTED BACON CHICKEN

This is a recipe my mother always used for turkey and I converted it to chicken. There are NO exact measurements. I serve this with cornbread stuffing, red mashed potatoes and peas with cheese. Add dinner rolls if you wish.

CHICKEN
1 Whole Chicken Approximately 5 Pounds (Preferably FOSTER FARMS)
If Frozen, Thaw in Refrigerator or Pot of Water
4 Strips Bacon (Prefer Oscar Mayer)
1 Stick Butter (No Substitutes)
Salt and Pepper
Garlic Powder
GRAVY
2 Stalks Celery Cut in Half
1/2 Whole Brown Onion
Neck, Heart, Liver and Gizzard from Chicken
Corn Starch
Water

1. Preheat Oven to 325

2. Remove neck, heart, liver and gizzard from chicken and place in a small pan with enough water to cover. Add celery and onion and simmer for a long time.

3. Thoroughly clean chicken inside and out. Remove the tail, and the heavy skinned area in the same area.

4. Place chicken in a foil pan (I prefer this so I can through it away) FOLD the wings back and under.

5. Pour salt and pepper in your hand and rub in side of check cavity. Sprinkle chicken with salt, pepper and garlic powder on outside. Don't overdo.

6. Cut stick of butter into square slices and place all over chicken.

7. Place the bacon lengthwise over the chicken. I.E. 1 piece on each leg toward the top of the breast and 2 down the middle.

8. Place UNCOVERED in pre heated oven for 45 minutes. Rotate 180 degrees, remove bacon (place in bottom of pan) and cook another 45 minutes. This timing is based on the size of the chicken and that it is completely thawed. Use your judgement?

9. Remove chicken from oven and place in another pan for carving (AFTER draining juices into foil pan) so you can cover tightly with foil and let stand for 30 minutes. Then carve when everything else is ready.

10. Remove the neck, heart, liver, gizzard, celery and onion with a slotted spoon from stock you made.

11. Drain all juices from the foil pan into the stock. Mix cornstarch and water in a Pyrex cup. Add a little at a time and let it simmer until it is SLIGHTLY thickened. NOT TOO THICK!