French cuisine is renowned for its elegance, complexity, and delicate flavors. One of the most iconic dishes in French cooking is roast chicken. While it may seem like a simple dish, a perfectly roasted chicken requires a delicate touch and attention to detail. Here’s a simple recipe to help you achieve that perfect roast chicken:
Ingredients:
- 1 whole chicken (3-4 lbs)
- Salt
- Pepper
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 lemon, cut into quarters
- 4 sprigs fresh thyme
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 425°F.
- Remove any giblets or excess fat from the chicken’s cavity and pat the chicken dry with paper towels.
- Generously season the chicken with salt and pepper, both inside and out.
- In a small bowl, mix together the softened butter and minced garlic. Rub the mixture all over the chicken, making sure to get under the skin.
- Stuff the cavity of the chicken with the lemon quarters and thyme sprigs.
- Truss the chicken with kitchen twine to help it cook evenly.
- Place the chicken in a roasting pan, breast side up.
- Roast the chicken in the preheated oven for 50-60 minutes or until the internal temperature of the thickest part of the chicken reaches 165°F.
- Once cooked, remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for 10-15 minutes before carving and serving.
