Double - Lemon Roast Chicken

Total Time: 2 hrs 35 mins Preparation Time: 1 hr 15 mins Cook Time: 1 hr 20 mins

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup salted butter, softened
• 1/4 cup packed lemon balm leaves
• 1 pinch black pepper
• 1 pinch kosher salt
• 4 lbs organic fresh roasting chickens
• 1/2 tablespoon paprika
• 1/2 tablespoon kosher salt
• 1 organic lemon, quartered
• 1 sprig fresh thyme (use lemon thyme if you have it)

Recipe

• 1 in a small bowl, cream the butter, lemon balm, salt and pepper. set aside. (this can be done ahead of time.).
• 2 remove chicken from the fridge 1 hour before roasting. preheat oven to 350°f.
• 3 loosen the skin (or make shallow incisions) all over and stuff with the compound butter.
• 4 rub the outside of the bird with paprika and kosher salt and place the lemon quarters and thyme sprig in the cavity.
• 5 place chicken, breast side down, in a lightly greased roasting pan.
• 6 cook, uncovered, for 45 minutes, then turn the bird over and roast a further 30-35 minutes, until done.
• 7 remove from oven and tent with foil for 10 minutes.
• 8 remove and discard stuffing before carving.