Le Sud Blog, recipes sandy chen Le Sud Blog, recipes sandy chen

🍋 POULET RÔTI - Le Sud Roasted Chicken Recipe (A Taste of Provence at Home)

A classic French roasted chicken recipe from Le Sud, Poulet Roti with herbs de Provence, root vegetables, and a story of tradition and togetherness.

At Le Sud, some dishes go beyond the plate.

POULET RÔTI — our roasted chicken — is one of them.

It’s simple. Honest. Rooted in tradition.
And for our French Bistro Dinner, we wanted you to take a piece of that experience home.

That’s why each guest receives a jar of Herbes de Provence, the same blend we use in this dish, along with this recipe, so you can recreate the feeling in your own kitchen.

What is Poulet Roti?

“Poulet Roti” refers to a heritage French chicken known for its rich flavor, firm texture, and natural farming practices.

  • Air-chilled

  • Free-range

  • Vegetarian-fed

It’s a true symbol of Provençal cooking, where quality ingredients speak for themselves.

The Recipe: Poulet Roti – Le Sud Roasted Chicken

Ingredients

1. Whole Chicken - Serves 4

  • 1 medium whole organic chicken (≈ 2.75 lbs)

  • 2 tsp kosher salt

  • 1 tsp black pepper

  • 4 tbsp unsalted butter (room temperature)

  • 1 lemon, cut into wedges

  • 4 garlic cloves, smashed (peeled)

  • 3 sprigs rosemary

  • 1 tbsp Le Sud Herbes de Provence mix

2. Vegetables

  • 2 cups root vegetables (potatoes, carrots, fennel, etc.)

  • 2 tbsp olive oil

  • ¼ tsp salt

  • ¼ tsp black pepper

  • 1 tsp lemon zest

  • 2 garlic cloves, smashed

  • ¼ cup chicken broth or white wine

3. Basting Butter

  • 4 tbsp butter

  • 2 garlic cloves, smashed

  • ½ tsp Herbes de Provence

  • ¼ tsp black pepper

  • 1 tbsp fresh herbs (thyme or parsley optional)

Method

1. Prep the Chicken

Pat completely dry. Season inside and out with salt and pepper.

👉 For best results: dry-brine overnight uncovered in the fridge.

2. Build Flavor

Mix softened butter with garlic and rosemary.
Gently loosen the skin and spread butter underneath.

3. Stuff the Bird

Fill cavity with:

  • Lemon wedges

  • Garlic

  • Rosemary

(Optional: add onion or shallot for depth)

4. Prepare Vegetables

Toss vegetables with olive oil, salt, pepper, lemon zest, and garlic.
Add broth or wine to the pan.

5. Roast

  • Preheat oven to 425°F

  • Roast for 20 minutes

  • Reduce to 375°F and cook 45–55 minutes

👉 Target internal temperature: 165°F

6. Baste

Melt butter with garlic, Herbes de Provence, and pepper.
Baste every 20–25 minutes.

Finish with a splash of lemon juice.

7. Rest & Finish

  • Rest chicken 10–15 minutes

  • Return vegetables to oven at 425°F to crisp

✨ Chef’s Note

Use the pan drippings for a quick jus, deglaze with wine or broth, reduce, and strain.

Sandy Lavender Field

A Personal Story — From Sandy

Roasted chicken holds a special place in my heart, not just as a dish, but as a symbol of togetherness. It’s never just about the recipe. It’s about the care, the patience, and the intention behind it.

From seasoning the bird to achieving that perfectly crisp skin and tender meat, it reflects something deeper, something personal. The vegetables remind me of gathering fresh ingredients, making the meal feel even more connected to the moment. For me, this dish represents abundance and gratitude. It’s the kind of meal that brings everyone to the table. Where conversations flow, laughter fills the room, and time slows down.

At Le Sud, when we serve this dish, we’re not just serving food. We’re sharing a piece of that tradition with you.

Cheers,

Sandy Chen

Your Gift from Le Sud

Poulet Rouge Recipe

Your Herbes de Provence jar is more than a seasoning.

Use it for:

  • Roasted chicken

  • Grilled fish

  • Lamb or steak

  • Vegetables with olive oil

A small way to bring Provence into your kitchen.

📱 Take This Recipe Home - Download PDF

Scan the QR code on your jar to save this recipe and revisit anytime.

👉 Cook it
👉 Share it
👉 Tag us

🍷 Join Us Again

If you enjoyed this experience, we invite you back for our next French Bistro Dinner—where every menu tells a new story.

👉 Reserve your next evening at Le Sud

Loved tonight? This is just the beginning.

Be the first to hear about our next French Bistro Dinner experience.

Get Notified for Our Next Bistro Dinner
Read More

French Bistro Classics: A Taste of Provence in Chicago

A French bistro dinner inspired by Provence, featuring a seasonal four-course menu with fresh seafood, lamb, and lavender crème brûlée—right here in Chicago.

Experience a French bistro dinner inspired by Provence at Le Sud in Chicago. Enjoy a seasonal four-course menu featuring fresh seafood, lamb, and classic French desserts in a cozy, candlelit setting..

🇫🇷 Le Sud “Dîners de Province”

2026 Schedule

·         Winter — Burgundy: Tue, Feb 24, 2026

·         Spring — Provence: Tue, Apr 28, 2026

·         Summer — Normandy (Bastille Day): Tue, Jul 14, 2026

·         Autumn — Toulouse (Cassoulet): Tue, Oct 27, 2026

·         Holiday – Holiday Series, Tue, Dec 8th, 2026

Le Sud French Bistro Classics

A Taste of Provence

There’s something timeless about a French bistro meal, simple ingredients, thoughtful preparation, and flavors that transport you somewhere far away. At Le Sud, our latest dinner experience, French Bistro Classics – Provence, is inspired by the sun-soaked charm of Provence, where meals are unhurried, ingredients are seasonal, and every dish tells a story.

This four-course menu is a celebration of the Mediterranean spirit: bright, fresh, and deeply rooted in tradition.

A Menu Inspired by the South of France

Tomato & Burrata Provençal (April 28th Dinner)

We begin with a dish that captures the essence of Provençal cooking, ripe heirloom tomatoes, creamy burrata, fresh basil, and a drizzle of olive oil finished with fleur de sel. It’s light, vibrant, and sets the tone for the evening.

Lamb with Rosemary & Tapenade (April 28th Dinner)

Rich, savory, and unmistakably French. Our lamb chops are grilled and served with a bold olive tapenade and fragrant rosemary, balancing depth with brightness.

Lamb with Rosemary & Tapenade

Wood-Grilled Branzino

Lavender Crème Brûlée (April 28th Dinner)

To finish, a nod to Provence’s iconic lavender fields. This classic custard is infused with subtle floral notes and topped with a perfectly caramelized sugar crust, elegant, aromatic, and unforgettable.

Lavender Crème Brûlée

The Provence Experience

Dining in Provence isn’t just about the food—it’s about the feeling. It’s the warmth of the sun, the scent of herbs in the air, and the rhythm of a meal shared with others.

At Le Sud, we bring that experience to Chicago. From the glow of candlelight to the simplicity of each plate, every detail is designed to feel transportive, like a quiet evening somewhere along the Mediterranean coast.

Why We Love Bistro Cooking

French bistro cuisine is approachable yet refined. It’s not about complexity, it’s about doing simple things exceptionally well. Fresh ingredients, balanced flavors, and dishes that feel both comforting and elevated.

This is the philosophy behind everything we do at Le Sud.

Join Us at the Table

Whether you’re discovering these flavors for the first time or reminiscing about travels through southern France, our French Bistro Classics dinner is meant to be shared, savored, and remembered.

Reserve your seat and experience a little bit of Provence, right here in the neighborhood.

Read More