Herb-Crusted Roast Chicken with Garlic and Lemon

Ingredients

- 1 whole chicken (approximately 4 pounds)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
- 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, finely chopped
- 1 lemon, zested and quartered
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 1 teaspoon paprika

Instructions

1. Prepare the Oven:
Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).

2. Prepare the Chicken:
Pat the chicken dry with paper towels, ensuring the skin is dry to achieve crispiness.

3. Herb Mixture:
In a small bowl, combine olive oil, salt, black pepper, thyme, rosemary, lemon zest, and minced garlic. Mix until well combined.

4. Season the Chicken:
Gently loosen the skin over the chicken breast with your fingers or a spoon. Rub half of the herb mixture directly onto the breast meat under the skin and the rest over the entire exterior.

5. Stuff the Chicken:
Place the lemon quarters inside the cavity of the chicken. Optionally, truss the legs of the chicken with kitchen twine for even cooking.

6. Butter Basting:
Mix the softened butter with paprika and rub over the chicken’s skin for additional flavor and a rich, golden color.

7. Roast the Chicken:
Position the chicken breast-side up on a roasting rack in a pan. Roast in the preheated oven for about 1 hour and 15 minutes. (Ensure the internal temperature of the thickest part reaches 165°F or 74°C).

8. Rest the Chicken:
Remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for 10 minutes before carving.

Preparation & Cooking Times

- Preparation Time: PT20M
20 minutes

- Cooking Time: PT1H15M
1 hour and 15 minutes

Total Time

- Total Time: PT1H35M
1 hour and 35 minutes

Type of Dish

- Dinner

Keywords

1. Roast Chicken
2. Herb-Crusted Chicken
3. Garlic Lemon Chicken
4. Oven Roasted
5. Whole Chicken Recipe
6. Dinner Recipe
7. Easy Roast Chicken
8. Flavorful Chicken
9. Chicken with Herbs
10. Family Dinner

Recipe Yield

- Serves 4 adults

Calories

- Total Calories: 2,400 calories

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