Roast Chicken with Lemon and Thyme

In my quest to expand my cooking horizons, I finally made a roast chicken. I can't believe I've lived this long and not done it before. Really it is much easier than a turkey and doesn't take but an hour to cook.

Roast Chicken with Lemon and Rosemary
recipe courtesy of Food and Wine

1 chicken (3 to 3 1/2 pounds)
1 tablespoon dried rosemary
Salt
Fresh-ground black pepper
4 3-inch-long strips lemon zest
1 small onion, quartered
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon plus 1/4 teaspoon lemon juice
1/2 cup water

Heat the oven to 425°. Rub the cavity of the chicken with the dried rosemary, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/8 teaspoon pepper and then stuff with the strips of lemon zest and the quartered onion. Twist the wings behind the back of the chicken and tie the legs together. Put the chicken, breast-side up, in a roasting pan. Coat the chicken with the oil and sprinkle it with 1/4 teaspoon of salt, 1/8 teaspoon of pepper, and the 1 tablespoon lemon juice.

Roast the chicken until it is just done, 50 to 60 minutes. Transfer the bird to a plate and leave to rest in a warm spot for about 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, pour off the fat from the roasting pan. Set the pan over moderate heat and add the water. Bring to a boil, scraping the bottom of the pan to dislodge any brown bits. Boil until reduced to approximately 1/4 cup, about 4 minutes. Add any accumulated juices from the chicken along with the remaining 1/4 teaspoon lemon juice and a pinch each of salt and pepper. Serve the bird with the pan juices.

Comments - A whole small onion did not fit in the chicken but we got as much in it as we could. I didn't make the pan juice in the last step but really the chicken was so moist it wasn't needed. I will say that the breast meat was juicy but not flavorful. So next time I'll find a different recipe that will make it taste better. But not bad for a first try. I'll be cooking more of these birds.