Crisp and Juicy Roast Chicken

Name: Crisp and Juicy Roast Chicken
Yield: Makes 4 Servings
Ingredients: 1 bay leaf; 2 fresh thyme sprigs or a pinch of dried; Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste; 3 garlic cloves, smashed, with a thin layer of skin left on; 1 chicken (about 3½ pounds), giblets removed, all possible fat removed, rinsed under cold water, patted very dry with paper towels; Watercress sprigs, for garnish; 2 tablespoons olive oil

Preparation info

Makes
4
Servings

Difficulty
Easy

Appears in

Get in There and Cook

By Richard Sax

Published 1997

About

A roast chicken is something every accomplished home cook should be able to turn out with ease. In fact, think of this as something you can throw into the oven when you don’t even want to think about dinner.

Ingredients

1 chicken (about 3½ pounds), giblets removed, all possible fat removed, rinsed under cold water, patted very dry with paper towels
Salt and fres

Main course
Gluten-free

Method

Preheat the oven to 425°F. Choose a roasting pan in which the chicken fits compactly. (I use an oval enameled cast-iron gratin dish.)
Season the chicken well with salt and pepper, inside and out, rubbing the seasonings into the flesh. (You can reach in