Simple Roast Chicken

Ingredients

• •1 whole chicken (about 4 lb)
• •1 lemon, halved
• •4 cloves garlic
• •2 tbsp butter, softened
• •1 tbsp fresh thyme
• •Salt to taste
• •Pepper to taste

Steps

1. 1.Pat the chicken dry and season generously with salt, then refrigerate uncovered for at least 4 hours, or overnight - this dry brine seasons the meat all the way through and dries the skin for a crackling roast.
2. 2.Preheat oven to 425°F.
3. 3.Stuff the cavity with the lemon halves and garlic cloves.
4. 4.Rub the softened butter and thyme over the skin, then season with pepper.
5. 5.Roast for about 1 hour 20 minutes, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
6. 6.Let rest for 10-15 minutes before carving - resting is what keeps the juices in the meat instead of running out onto the board.