This lemon-herb roasted chicken is foolproof and fantastic. Butter mixed with minced garlic, rosemary, thyme, and grated lemon zest is what sets it apart. You can make the butter in advance and store it in the refrigerator for up to two days, or stash it in the freezer. Rubbing the seasoned butter under the skin and all over the bird before roasting results in juicy meat with crispy skin. This recipe is easy enough for a weeknight dinner but boasts enough extra flavor and special touches to make it ideal for serving at a dinner party. Offer the chicken with roast potatoes and salad to turn the dish into an easy, elegant meal.
INGREDIENTS:
1 whole chicken
1 large Lemon cut in half
¼ cup butter room temperature
2 tsp Salt
Pepper to taste
2 Tbsp Garlic minced
6 Tablespoons Butter room tempreture
2 tsp Thyme fresh, or ½ tsp dried
2 tsp Rosemary fresh, or ½ tsp dried
1 tsp Sage or 1 tsp fresh
1 tsp Onion Powder
For the vegetables
6-8 baby Potatoes
Small bag of Carrots
1 medium Onion
2 Tbsp olivd oil
1 tsp Garlic Salt
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 200°C.
chicken:
If the chicken has guts, remove it. Wash the chicken and pat dry with paper towels. Put half a lemon in the chicken cavity. Tie the legs together with kitchen twine and tuck the wings under the chicken.
Season the whole chicken with salt and pepper.
Combine butter, spices and minced garlic in a small mixing bowl.
Mix all ingredients with a fork until smooth.
Spread the butter mixture over the chicken by hand.
Place chicken in glass casserole, Dutch oven, or cast iron skillet and set aside.
Wash potatoes and carrots and cut in half. Dice the onion into chunks and drizzle with olive oil before placing the vegetables around the chicken. Garlic salt should be sprinkled over vegetables.
Place in a preheated oven and bake at 200°C for 45 minutes. When the skin of the chicken is golden brown, cover loosely with aluminum foil and bake for an additional 30 minutes. Cooking time will likely be around 70-80 minutes.
Remove the chicken from the oven and let it sit for 10 minutes before serving
