Servings 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 (4- to 5-pound) chicken
- 4 Tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 large cloves garlic, peeled
- 3 sprigs fresh rosemary
- 1 lemon, halved
Equipment:
- Kitchen string
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 450ºF with a rack in the center.
- Remove the giblets from the chicken then trim the excess fat from around the chicken cavity then rinse and thoroughly dry the chicken. (The drier the chicken, the crispier the skin.) Place the chicken in a roasting pan, baking dish or cast iron skillet.
- Add the butter to a small saucepan set over medium-low heat. Once it has melted, remove it from the heat and immediately add the garlic and rosemary sprigs. Let the butter sit for 5 minutes.
- Transfer the garlic slices and rosemary into the cavity of the chicken then brush the melted butter all over the chicken. Season the chicken liberally all over (including inside the cavity) with salt and pepper. Place the two lemon halves inside the cavity.
- Tie the legs together with kitchen twine. (Keep it simple with a loop around each leg and knotted in the center.)
- Roast the chicken for 1 hour, basting it every 15 minutes by using a spoon and tilting the pan to collect the juices then spooning them atop the chicken, until the internal temperature reaches 165ºF. (When testing the temperature with a meat thermometer, insert it into the breast but do not touch the bone for the most accurate reading.) Rotate the pan after every time you baste the chicken to guarantee even cooking.
- Remove the chicken from the oven and transfer it to a cutting board. Allow the chicken to rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.
Notes
- It's important to baste the chicken every 15 minutes to ensure even browning of all the skin.
- The total cooking time will depend on a variety of factors, including the weight of your chicken and how heat circulates within your specific oven.
- ★ Did you make this recipe? Don't forget to give it a star rating below!