Herb Roasted Chicken
- 1 (5 to 6) pound roasting chicken
- 4 cloves garlic, crushed
- 1 medium onion, coarsely chopped
- 3 bay leaves
- 1 tablespoon each of dried thyme, rosemary and sage
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- Several sprigs fresh thyme, rosemary and sage
- 1 cup chicken broth
- Butcher's twine
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees and place a heavy roasting pan to preheat in the oven.
- Season the inside of the chicken cavity with salt and pepper.
- Put the crushed garlic, chopped onion and dry herbs inside the cavity of the chicken.
- Using the twine, tie the legs closed.
- Use the olive oil to rub the entire outside of the chicken with an even coat of oil.
- Pick the herb from the stem and coarsely chop them before sprinkling the herb liberally and evenly on the chicken.
- Place the chicken into the preheated roasting pan and roast at 425 degrees for the first 45 minutes of roasting.
- Reduce the oven temperature to 350 degrees and continue to roast for an additional 1 hour.
- Remove from the oven and pierce the thigh: if the juices run clear when pierced allow to rest on a platter for 15 to 20 minutes before carving.
- If the juices are still pink return to the oven for more roasting time.
- While the chicken is resting, place the roasting pan on top of the stove, remove any chicken fat with a spoon, and, over medium heat, deglaze the pan drippings with the chicken broth.
- Use a spoon to scrape up all the crusty bits (that's where the most concentrated flavor is) and bring to a boil.
- Remove from the heat and strain the liquid into a gravy boat to pass at the table.
chicken, garlic, onion, bay leaves, thyme, olive oil, salt, thyme, chicken broth, butchers twine
Taken from www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/herb-roasted-chicken-recipe2.html (may not work)