Hi, Julia - I would highly recommend switching from a roasting pan to a wire rack set into a rimmed baking sheet for 2 birds. That will guarantee plenty of good air circulation around both birds. In general roasting pans shield the sides of a small chicken too much.
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I assume this is the recipe you are referring to? https://food52.com/recipes/24217-the-best-roast-chicken-with-garlic-and-herb-pan-sauce
The chickens you are using are a bit smaller than what is called for in the recipe so normally I would say that as long as there is plenty of room for air circulation between them the cooking time would not be affected by the fact there are 2 birds. If anything since they are smaller I would think you would need to check them sooner, not later.
However the recipe calls for a snug fit in the pan which creates a dilemma. If the 2 birds are snug together, cooking time will be effected and part of each bird likely to be unappealing. If they are spaced out then I assume you loose the benefit that snugness imparts. I think only by having the 2 birds, each snug in its own vessel would you be duplicating the conditions. Then you would just need to adjust for the smaller size of the birds.
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Check out www.cooksscience.com for more fun, useful food science.
- Dan Souza
The chickens you are using are a bit smaller than what is called for in the recipe so normally I would say that as long as there is plenty of room for air circulation between them the cooking time would not be affected by the fact there are 2 birds. If anything since they are smaller I would think you would need to check them sooner, not later.
However the recipe calls for a snug fit in the pan which creates a dilemma. If the 2 birds are snug together, cooking time will be effected and part of each bird likely to be unappealing. If they are spaced out then I assume you loose the benefit that snugness imparts. I think only by having the 2 birds, each snug in its own vessel would you be duplicating the conditions. Then you would just need to adjust for the smaller size of the birds.