Classic Lemon Garlic Roast Chicken

Ingredients

1 whole (3– lb cleaned patted dry

-2 tablespoons olive oil

• 1 lemon hal
• cloves, minced
• 1 teaspoon salt
  1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 1 dried thyme (or 1 tablespoon fresh thyme)
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• Fresh herbs for garnishoptional)

1.heat the oven to °F (220°C). a rack in the middle the oven.

. In a small bowl, combine olive oil, minced, salt, pepper, thyme, and paprika to form a smooth paste.

3. the paste all the chicken, under the skin where possible, for maximum flavor.

4 Squeeze the lemon halves over the chicken and tuck the squeezed halves inside the cavity for citrus.

. Tie the legs together with kitchen string and tuck the wings under the body to ensure cooking.

6. Place chicken-side up on a roasting or in a pan. Roast for 55–65 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F74°C) the juices run clear.

7. Remove from oven and let for 1015 minutes before carving. Garnish fresh if.

Serving Suggestions

• Serve with roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, or a light salad.
• Drizzle a little pan jus sliced chicken for moisture.

Tips

• For extra crisp skin, increase oven temperature to 450 (°C) for the last 5–7 minutes, watching carefully prevent burning.
• If your chicken is particularly large, extend roasting time by 5–10 minutes and check internal temperature.