LEMON-HERB ROAST CHICKEN

Lemon-Herb Roast Chicken image

Categories Chicken Herb Poultry Roast Kid-Friendly Lemon Winter Bon Appétit Small Plates

Yield Serves 4

Number Of Ingredients 11

Ingredients

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, room temperature
2 tablespoons chopped fresh rosemary or 2 teaspoons dried
2 tablespoons chopped fresh thyme or 2 teaspoons dried
3 large garlic cloves, minced
1 1/2 teaspoons grated lemon peel
1 6 1/2- to 7-pound roasting chicken
1/4 cup dry white wine
1 cup (about canned low-salt chicken broth
2 tablespoons all purpose flour
Lemon wedges
Rosemary sprigs

Steps:

Combine butter, rosemary, thyme, garlic and lemon peel in small bowl and stir to blend. Season to taste with salt and pepper. (Herb butter can be prepared 3 days ahead. Cover and refrigerate. Bring to room temperature before using.)
Preheat oven to 450°F. Rinse chicken; pat dry. Slide hand under skin of chicken breast to loosen skin form meat. Reserve 2 tablespoons herb butter for gravy. Rub half of remaining herb butter over chicken breast under skin. Spread remaining herb butter over outside of chicken. Season chicken with salt and pepper. Truss chicken to help hold shape.
Place chicken in heavy large roasting pan. Roast 20 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 375°F. Roast chicken until meat thermometer inserted into thickest part of inner thigh registers 175°F. and juices from thigh run clear when chicken thigh is pierced with skewer, about 1 hour 15 minutes. Lift chicken and tilt slightly, emptying any juices from cavity into roasting pan. Transfer chicken to platter. Tent with aluminum foil to keep warm.
Pour pan juices into large glass measuring cup. Spoon fat off top. Add wine to pan. Place pan over high heat; bring wine to boil, scraping up any browned bits. Pour wine mixture into cup with pan juices. Add enough broth to same cup to measure 2 1/4 cups liquid. Melt reserved 2 tablespoons herb butter in heavy medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add flour; whisk until smooth and beginning to color, about 3 minutes. Gradually whisk in pan juices. Boil until thickened to sauce consistency, whisking occasionally, about 7 minutes. Season gravy with salt and pepper. Arrange lemon and rosemary around chicken on platter. Serve with gravy.