Roast Chicken with Thyme

It really couldn’t be more simple – a little bit of preparation and into the oven.

📝 Ingredients

• 1 1/2 kg chicken
• 1 lemon
• Small bunch fresh thyme
• 2-3 garlic cloves, crushed
• 1 tablesp. olive oil
• A little salt and freshly ground black pepper

👨‍🍳 Instructions

1. 1Preheat the oven to Gas Mark 6, 200°C (400°F). Place the chicken in a roasting tin and put the lemon and a sprig of thyme inside the cavity of the chicken.
2. 2Strip the leaves from the remaining thyme stalks and place in a bowl along with the garlic, olive oil and seasoning. Mix to combine, then brush this mixture over the chicken.
3. 3Cover the chicken loosely with foil and roast in the oven for 30 minutes. Then reduce the temperature to Gas Mark 4, 180°C (350°F).
4. 4Remove the foil and roast for another 50-60 minutes. It's fully cooked when the bird is pierced in the tigh with a skewer and the juices run clear.
5. 5Remove the chicken to a carving board and cover loosely with foil. Allow to rest for 15 minutes while you make the gravy.
6. 6Stir the pan juices over the hob to heat through. Add a little stock or water and boil up.
7. 7Delicious served with chunky carrots, parsnip, potatoes and half a head of garlic all of which can be tossed in a little olive oil and seasoning and roasted for the last 20 minutes with the chicken.