Honey Lemon Roast Chicken
The lemon juice marinade tenderizes the chicken while the honey glaze adds a sweetness to the crispy, golden, brown skin.
Honey Lemon Roast Chicken
The lemon juice marinade tenderizes the chicken while the honey glaze adds a sweetness to the crispy, golden, brown skin.
Ingredients
- 6 1/2 to 7 lb roasting chicken rinsed, patted dry
- 1 1/4 cups lemon juice
- 1/4 cup honey
- Coarse kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- A few sprigs of fresh thyme
Instructions
- Marinate chicken in the lemon juice in zipper plastic bag, placed in a large bowl, so that if it leaks it will leak into the bowl. Refrigerate several hours to overnight, turning the bag occasionally so that the chicken stays well coated with the lemon juice.
- Drain chicken from the marinade and pat dry with paper towels. Sprinkle the exterior of the chicken and the cavity generously with salt and pepper and put thyme sprigs into the cavity. Place chicken breast side down, on a rack in a roasting pan. Roast for 15 minutes at 450°F, then reduce the oven temperature to 375°F and roast for 45 minutes more.
- Turn chicken breast side up on the rack. Use a basting brush or pastry brush to coat the chicken all over with honey. Lower the heat to 350°F and continue to cook until cooked through and deep brown, basting with any juices in pan and brushing with honey occasionally, about 55 minutes longer (test for doneness starting about 40 minutes). The chicken is done when the juices run clear (not pink) when a knife tip is inserted into both the chicken breast and thigh, about 165-170°F for the breast and 180-185°F for the thigh.
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