2 Tablespoons olive oil (good quality extra virgin)
1 teaspoon thyme
1 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon salt
3/4 teaspoon pepper
items needed: kitchen twine & a roasting pan (preferably with a rack)
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
Mince 4 cloves of the garlic and add them to a small bowl with the softened butter/ghee, olive oil, thyme, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mix this well.
Take the chicken out of the packaging and rinse it well, removing the gizzards from the cavity. Set those aside for broth/stock or another use.
Pat the chicken dry and place it breast side down in a roasting pan. If you have a roasting pan with a wire rack – use it.
Take the butter, oil and spice mixture and begin to rub it all over the chicken, in between the skin and inside the cavity. Use up every last bit!
Quarter the lemon and onion and smash the remaining garlic cloves. Squeeze the lemon all over and in the chicken and stuff the onion, lemon and garlic into the cavity.
Tie the legs together to seal in the aromatics with the kitchen twine. Refer to the pictures for reference.
Place the pan in the oven for 30 minutes before dropping the temperature to 350 degrees. This encourages a nice, crispy skin and locks in moisture.
Let the chicken bake for an additional 30 minutes before covering with foil. Once the chicken is covered in foil, roast for an additional 30 minutes before checking the internal temperature with a thermometer. Your total cook time will be about 1 hour and 30 minutes, depending on your bird and oven.
To test the chicken for doneness, insert a meat thermometer into the side of the thigh. When the internal temperature reaches 160 degrees and the juices are running clear, you’re all done!
Let the chicken rest for 10-15 minutes before carving and serving.