While you're cooking a chicken and you've got all those juicy drippings with butter, garlic, lemon/orange, and/or all those herbs doing the work, why not add something that can become a delicious side dish?

New potatoes added to the roasting pan will be golden-brown when the chicken is done and infused with all that flavor.

Thickly-sliced onions or carrots also make a great addition, or alternatively, put a small whole onion in the pan.

This will add flavor to the drippings and the soft onion flesh can be served on bread when done. Or try cutting a fennel bulb in wedges, tossing with some olive oil, salt and pepper, and placing in the roasting pan...

It's a great addition to the meal!

Keep in mind you're going to have a hot oven for hours and hours, what else can you cook in a hot oven, right beside the roasting chicken?