Sunday Supper: Spanish Roast Chicken with Romesco and Grilled Onions

Simple, cost-conscious and undeniably impressive, roast chicken goes glam when infused with smoky pimentón and orange flavors. Day-of prep is a cinch: the onions take moments to grill, and the electric romesco sauce can (and should) be made the night before to allow flavors to meld.

As for oven temperature, preferences vary. Some find roasting chicken at 350°F yields winning results, while others favor a 400°F oven to keep meat moist. In my experience, however, something smack in-between proves best-in-class. The meat remains juicy and the skin, when basted throughout cooking, is crackly as can be. Basting the chicken regularly after the first half-hour of cooking is key to achieving crispy skin and even cooking. If your chicken starts to get too dark, though, tent it loosely with foil for the remainder of the cooking time.