Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup butter, softened
  • 4 cloves garlic, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary
  • 1 lemon, zested and halved
  • 1 teaspoon salt, divided
  • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper, divided
  • 1 whole chicken
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

Method

  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
  • Mix butter, garlic, thyme, rosemary, lemon zest, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper together in a bowl.
  • Loosen skin on chicken breast; rub butter mixture between skin and breast meat. Press on the skin to distribute evenly. Rub oil, remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper all over; place lemon halves inside cavity. Set in a baking pan.
  • Roast in the preheated oven, basting after 30 minutes, until chicken is no longer pink, about 1 hour. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh, near the bone, should read 165 degrees F (74 degrees C). Let rest before carving, about 15 minutes.