Jacques Pepin&rsquos Basic Roast Chicken
A simple roast chicken with lemon, garlic, thyme and butter, crisped in a hot oven for an easy centerpiece with bright, savory flavor.
Prep 10 min · Cook 55 min · Total 1 hr 15 min · Makes 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 chicken
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 2 cloves garlic, peeled and lightly crushed
- 1 lemon, halved
- 4 sprigs fresh thyme or 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
Directions
- Heat the oven to 425°F.
- Stir together the butter, thyme, lemon halves, garlic, salt and pepper in a small bowl.
- Coat the chicken on every side with the olive oil, then season it with salt and pepper. Set it in a roasting pan or baking dish, and spread the butter mixture over the chicken.
- Roast the chicken for 45 minutes to 1 hour, until an instant-read thermometer placed in the thickest section of the thigh reads 165°F and the juices are clear when you pierce it with a knife. Rest it for 10 minutes, then carve.