Perfect Roast Chicken

Ingredients

• 1 1.5 kg whole chicken (patted dry)
• 2 1/2 tsp salt
• 2 tsp crushed black pepper
• Small bunch mixed herbs (such as rosemary, thyme and sage)
• zest of 1 lemon (use a vegetable peeler)

Instructions

1. 1

   Season the chicken inside and out with salt and pepper

2. 2

   Refrigerate the chicken uncovered, overnight

3. 3

   Heat oven to 230 degrees C

4. 4

   Place chicken breast-side up in a roasting pan and stuff the cavity with the herbs and lemon zest

5. 5

   Tie the legs together with kitchen string and roast 50 minutes, then baste chicken with the pan juices

6. 6

   Continue roasting until chicken's juices run clear when skin is pierced with a knife (about 5 to 10 minutes longer

7. 7

   Let the chicken rest for 10 minutes before carving