Salted Butter Roasted Chicken Recipe

Ingredients:

1 whole chicken (about 4-5 lbs)

½ cup (1 stick) salted butter, softened

4 cloves garlic, minced

1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried)

1 tablespoon fresh thyme, chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried)

1 teaspoon black pepper

1 teaspoon paprika (optional, for color)

1 lemon, cut into halves

1 onion, quartered

2 carrots, chopped

2 celery stalks, chopped

½ cup chicken broth

Instructions:

1. Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 375°F (190°C).

2. Prepare the Butter Mix: In a bowl, mix the softened butter, minced garlic, rosemary, thyme, black pepper, and paprika.

3. Season the Chicken: Pat the chicken dry with paper towels. Gently loosen the skin and rub half of the butter mixture under the skin, spreading it evenly. Rub the rest over the outside of the chicken.

4. Stuff the Chicken: Place the lemon halves and onion quarters inside the chicken cavity. Tie the legs together with kitchen twine if desired.

5. Prepare the Roasting Pan: Place the chopped carrots and celery in the bottom of a roasting pan. Pour in the chicken broth. Set a roasting rack over the vegetables and place the chicken on top.

6. Roast the Chicken: Bake uncovered for about 1 hour and 15 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C) in the thickest part of the thigh. Baste the chicken with pan juices every 20 minutes for extra flavor.

7. Rest & Serve: Remove from the oven and let it rest for 10-15 minutes before carving. Serve with the roasted vegetables and pan juices.

Enjoy your delicious salted butter roasted chicken!