DOUBLE - LEMON ROAST CHICKEN

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Double - Lemon Roast Chicken image

Fresh lemon balm creates a deliciously vibrant base for the compound butter that's tucked under the skin of a roasting chicken. A quartered lemon and a sprig of thyme fill the cavity with even more flavour and keeps everything nice and juicy! Leftovers make incredible chicken salad too. Normally I'm not a stickler for organic, but with chicken and citrus where you're eating or cooking the rind it's important to keep the chemicals down.

Provided by @MakeItYours

Number Of Ingredients 9

1/4 cup salted butter, softened
1/4 cup packed lemon balm leaves
1 pinch black pepper
1 pinch kosher salt
4 lbs organic fresh roasting chickens
1/2 tablespoon paprika
1/2 tablespoon kosher salt
1 organic lemon, quartered
1 sprig fresh thyme (use lemon thyme if you have it)

Steps:

  • In a small bowl, cream the butter, lemon balm, salt and pepper. Set aside. (This can be done ahead of time.).
  • Remove chicken from the fridge 1 hour before roasting. Preheat oven to 350°F.
  • Loosen the skin (or make shallow incisions) all over and stuff with the compound butter.
  • Rub the outside of the bird with paprika and Kosher salt and place the lemon quarters and thyme sprig in the cavity.
  • Place chicken, breast side down, in a lightly greased roasting pan.
  • Cook, uncovered, for 45 minutes, then turn the bird over and roast a further 30-35 minutes, until done.
  • Remove from oven and tent with foil for 10 minutes.
  • Remove and discard stuffing before carving.

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