Jake's Lemon Pepper Chicken

Made in Alberta
Recipes.

MINS

Jake's Lemon Pepper Chicken Timing Prep Time: 10 minutes Cook Time: 1 hour, 10 minutes Total Time: 1 hour, 20 minutes

Preheat the oven to 450ºF with your oven rack in centre.
Remove the giblets from the chicken. Trim excess fat from around the chicken cavity. Rinse and thoroughly dry the chicken. (The drier the chicken, the crispier the skin.) Place the chicken in a roasting pan, baking dish, or cast iron skillet.
Melt the butter with the garlic in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Brush the melted garlic butter all over the chicken. Season the chicken liberally all over (including inside the cavity) with Jake's Lemon Pepper. Place the two lemon halves and the sprigs of rosemary inside the cavity.
Tie the legs together using kitchen twine. (Keep it simple with a loop around each leg and knotted in the centre).
Roast the chicken for about 1 hour while basting it every 15 minutes (this is very important so that the minced garlic stays moist and doesn't burn). Continue this until the internal temperature reaches 165ºF. (When testing the temperature with a meat thermometer, insert it into the breast but do not touch the bone for the most accurate reading). Rotate the pan after every time you baste the chicken to guarantee even cooking.
Remove the chicken from the oven and transfer it to a cutting board. Allow the chicken to rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.