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Pickled Pepper and Onion Relish

This recipe for Zesty Lemon Herb Roasted Chicken is a surefire way to impress your family and friends with minimal effort. The bright, citrusy flavors combined with aromatic herbs create a mouthwatering dish that's both comforting and elegant. Roasting the chicken ensures a crispy skin and juicy, tender meat that's infused with flavor from the inside out. Perfect for a Sunday dinner or a special occasion, this recipe is destined to become a family favorite.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 8 6 cups
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • → Chicken:
  • 1 whole chicken about 4-5 pounds, preferably organic and free-range
  • → Aromatics:
  • 1 lemon halved
  • 1 small yellow onion quartered
  • 4 cloves garlic smashed
  • 4 sprigs fresh rosemary
  • 4 sprigs fresh thyme
  • → Herb Butter:
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter softened
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme
  • 1 clove garlic minced
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • → Vegetables optional:
  • 1 pound baby potatoes halved or quartered if large
  • 2 carrots peeled and chopped into 1-inch pieces

Method
 

  1. Step 1: Prepare the Chicken
  2. Remove the chicken from the refrigerator about 30 minutes before you plan to start cooking. This allows the chicken to come closer to room temperature, which promotes more even cooking. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Rinse the chicken inside and out with cold water and pat it dry thoroughly with paper towels. Removing excess moisture will help the skin crisp up during roasting.
  3. Step 2: Make the Herb Butter
  4. In a small bowl, combine the softened butter, chopped parsley, chopped rosemary, chopped thyme, minced garlic, lemon zest, salt, and black pepper. Use a fork to mash all the ingredients together until well combined, creating a flavorful herb butter.
  5. Step 3: Season the Chicken
  6. Using your fingers, gently loosen the skin of the chicken breast, starting at the neck cavity. Be careful not to tear the skin. Spread about two-thirds of the herb butter under the skin, directly onto the chicken breast meat. This will infuse the meat with flavor and help keep it moist. Rub the remaining herb butter all over the outside of the chicken, ensuring it's evenly coated.
  7. Step 4: Stuff the Cavity
  8. Place the halved lemon, quartered onion, smashed garlic cloves, rosemary sprigs, and thyme sprigs inside the chicken's cavity. These aromatics will release their flavors during roasting, adding depth and complexity to the chicken.
  9. Step 5: Prepare the Vegetables (Optional)
  10. If you're using vegetables, toss the baby potatoes and chopped carrots with a drizzle of olive oil, salt, and pepper. Spread them evenly in the bottom of a roasting pan. This creates a bed for the chicken and allows the vegetables to roast alongside, absorbing the flavorful chicken drippings.
  11. Step 6: Roast the Chicken
  12. Place the chicken on top of the vegetables in the roasting pan (or directly in the pan if you're not using vegetables). Roast in the preheated oven for 1 hour and 15 minutes to 1 hour and 30 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the thickest part of the thigh reaches 165°F (74°C). Use a meat thermometer to ensure accurate doneness.
  13. Step 7: Baste the Chicken
  14. About halfway through the roasting time (after about 45 minutes), baste the chicken with the pan drippings. This helps keep the skin moist and promotes even browning.
  15. Step 8: Rest the Chicken
  16. Once the chicken is cooked through, remove it from the oven and let it rest for 10-15 minutes before carving. This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, resulting in a more tender and flavorful chicken. Tent the chicken loosely with foil while it rests to keep it warm.
  17. Step 9: Carve and Serve
  18. Transfer the chicken to a cutting board and carve it into serving pieces. Arrange the carved chicken on a platter, surrounded by the roasted vegetables (if using). Spoon some of the pan drippings over the chicken for added flavor and moisture. Garnish with fresh herbs, if desired.