Perfect Roast Chicken

Submitted by: aortiz59

Difficulty Rating: Moderate

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 (5 to 6 lb) roasting chicken
• 10 sprigs fresh thyme
• 1 lemon, halved
• 1 head garlic, cut in half crosswise
• 2 tbs. butter, melted
• Olive oil

DIRECTIONS:

• Preheat oven to 425°. Remove the chicken giblets. Rinse the chicken inside and out and pat dry. Liberally season with salt and pepper the inside of the chicken. Stuff the cavity with the thyme, both lemon halves, and all the garlic. Brush the outside of the chicken with butter and sprinkle again with salt and pepper. Tie both legs together with kitchen string and tuck the wings under the body of the chicken. Place in a roasting pan.
• Roast the chicken for 1 ½ hours, or until the juices run clear when you cut between the leg and the thigh. Remove the chicken to a platter and cover with aluminum foil for about 20 minutes. Slice the chicken on a platter and serve.