HOW TO COOK ROASTED WHOLE CHICKEN

ROASTED WHOLE CHICKEN

Ingredients to Cook Roasted Whole Chicken
1 whole chicken, about 3 1/2 to 4 pounds, gutted
Kosher salt
1 lemon
4 to 5 thyme sprigs, for stuffing chicken
6 ounces or 3/4 cup pitted, green olives, plus more for stuffing chicken
6 ounces or 3/4 cup pitted black olives, preferably oil-cured, plus more for stuffing chicken
2 tablespoons canola oil
1 shallot, peeled and roughly chopped
1 to 2 teaspoons whiskey (recommended: Jack Daniels)
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus 2 tablespoons if needed
2 to 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
salt
Steps
Step 1 to Cook Roasted Whole Chicken
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
Step 2 to Cook Roasted Whole Chicken
Season the inside cavity with salt.
Step 3 to Cook Roasted Whole Chicken
Arrange the chicken, breast side up, in a roasting pan with a rack. Zest the lemon and set aside and cut the zested lemon in half and put it inside the cavity of the bird along with the thyme, and extra olives.
Step 4 to Cook Roasted Whole Chicken
Truss the chicken by evenly looping your butcher’s twine under the wing and come around the legs.
Step 5 to Cook Roasted Whole Chicken
Pull the ends and tie at the top pulling the legs together and tucking in the wings.
Step 6 to Cook Roasted Whole Chicken
Season with salt and rub the 2 tablespoons canola oil on the outside of the chicken.
Step 7  to Cook Roasted Whole Chicken
Roast in the oven for 55 to 65 minutes, depending on your oven.
Step 8 to Cook Roasted Whole Chicken
The juices from the thickest part of the thigh should run clear (meaning not pink from blood) and register between 155 and 160 degrees F when tested with an instant-read thermometer.
Step 9 to Cook Roasted Whole Chicken
Remove the chicken from the oven and allow it to rest and meanwhile, put the shallots and the green and black olives in the bowl of a food processor.
Step 10 to Cook Roasted Whole Chicken
Pulse until finely chopped, 30 to 45 seconds.
Step 11 to Cook Roasted Whole Chicken
Add the whiskey and with the machine running, pour in 1/4 cup of the olive oil in a slow stream.
Step 12 to Cook Roasted Whole Chicken
Put the chicken, breast side up, on a cutting board.
Step 13 to Cook Roasted Whole Chicken
Cut the butcher’s twine then cut down the length of the breastbone, on either side, and detach the light meat.
Step 14 to Cook Roasted Whole Chicken
Cut around each thigh and detach them as well.
Step 15 to Cook Roasted Whole Chicken
Arrange on a platter and drizzle any run off juices onto the chicken.
Step 16 to Cook Roasted Whole Chicken
In a small bowl, whisk together the butter, lemon zest and a sprinkle of sea salt.
Step 17 to Cook Roasted Whole Chicken
Spread some of the soft butter on the light and dark meat, keeping the chicken, skin side up, on the serving platter.
Step 18 to Cook Roasted Whole Chicken
Top with some of the tapenade and serve immediately.