PROVENCAL ROASTED CHICKEN WITH HONEY AND THYME

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
• To make the chicken, season the chicken cavity with salt and pepper to taste.
• Stuff the chicken cavity with the shallot, half the thyme, and lemon zest.
• Set on a rack in the roasting pan and brush the chicken with a bit of the olive oil.
• Whisk the honey and remaining oil in a small bowl.
• Dip the remaining thyme in the mixture and use it to brush the chicken all over with the honey mixture.
• Season the bird with salt and pepper to taste.
• Tuck the wings under the back, cross the legs, and tie them with kitchen string.
• Place the chicken breast side down on the rack and roast until the back is golden brown, about 35 to 40 minutes.
• Remove the pan from the oven and turn the chicken breast side up.
• Cut the string where it holds the legs together and open up the legs a bit.
• Baste the chicken with the pan drippings, using the thyme sprigs as a brush.
• Roast the chicken again until the breast is golden brown and a meat thermometer inserted in the thigh registers 170 degrees F, 20 to 25 minutes more.
• Transfer the chicken to a carving board and let rest for 10 minutes before carving.
• To make the sauce, remove the rack from the roasting pan.
• Put the pan over medium-high heat, add the water, and stir with a wooden spoon to release the brown bits and cling to the pan.
• Strain the pan drippings into a small bowl and spoon off the fat.
• Whisk in the lemon juice, olive oil, honey, shallot, thyme, salt and pepper to taste.
• Carve the chicken and serve drizzled with the sauce.