Do Better

roasted chicken

I love a meal that my husband and kids can enjoy, especially when it’s super easy to make. Here’s what I do for a simple and flavorful roasted chicken.

• 1 whole free-range chicken, bag removed, rinsed and patted dry
• 1 orange
• 1 onion
• 2 sprigs of fresh thyme
• 1 head of garlic
• 1/2 stick of unsalted butter, softened
• salt and pepper

Prepare the chicken by removing all bags from inside the body cavity (be sure to check both ends). Rinse the bird inside and out and pat dry.

Zest half of an orange. Remove thyme leaves from stem. Mix the zest, thyme, salt and pepper into softened butter. Rub this mixture between the skin and breast meat, outside the bird, and inside the body cavity.

Rough chop orange, onion, and garlic. Place these items inside the bird. It should be full, but not stuffed. You want to make sure the air can still circulate inside. Bend back wings, tie up legs and put in a roasting dish. Any left over oranges, onion, etc I put around the bird.

Roast uncovered at 500 degrees until golden brown, about 30 minutes. Then remove from oven, insert meat thermometer (I put it in the thickest part of the breast), cover the chicken with foil, reduce the oven to 350 degrees and cook until the chicken reaches 180 degrees. Allow to rest for 10 minutes and then enjoy!