Put oven rack in lower middle slot. Preheat oven to 400°F
Peel potatoes if desired, slice into 1 inch thick slices
Mix potato marinade (first 3 ingredients)
Toss potatoes in marinade
Heat oven proof skillet on medium heat
Clean chicken, remove giblets (not used in this preparation) pat chicken dry
Mix all chicken rub ingredients (everything after the chicken in the list)
Place potatoes in hot skillet largest side down do not turn (we are Browning one side only), pour all potato marinade into the skillet.
Rub chicken rub all over chicken, under the skin if you can
Fold wing tips under
Either tie the drumsticks together, or as I did here cut a small slit in the skin of the side, and put the end of the drum stick in that hole to hold it
Once potatoes get a slight brown to them on one side only, turn off heat
Place chicken on top of potatoes, breast side up
Place skillet in oven, roast until breast reads 165°F. About 1 hour 10 minutes for 4 pound bird, about 1 hour 30 minutes for a 5 pound bird.
Remove skillet from oven. Place chicken on a clean plate or cutting board. Tent with foil.
Cover potatoes in skillet, return to oven. I usually turn my oven off at this point, there is enough heat in there.
Wait 15-20 minutes to let the chicken rest.
Carve chicken as desired.
Remove skillet from oven. Uncover.
Serve potatoes with the dark side (browned side) down. They should have a soft creamy top, with a crisp or slightly chewy bottom.
NOTE - a 12 inch skillet is ideal for this, but the only one I had oven proof over 350°F was this 10 inch cast iron. I could only fit about 1 1/2 medium potatoes on it.
