Roast Chicken au Jus with Mashed Potatoes and Green Beans

This is one of my favorite meals, one I never tire of. It makes me feel good having eaten it, and it usually leaves plenty of leftovers or at least enough for a second meal of soup. I love to serve it with simple mashed potatoes because they are so easy and delicious and quick to prepare; they can be made well before the chicken is done (they’ll keep for hours—just don’t let them get cold). Green beans are likewise inexpensive, easy, and tasty, buttered and seasoned simply with lemon zest a