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Roast Chicken with Rosemary-Garlic Paste

4.7

(69)

Image may contain Food Meal Dinner Supper Dish and Roast
Roast Chicken with Rosemary-Garlic PasteMarcus Nilsson

When shopping for a chicken, look for the organic seal. An organic chicken will be juicier than one that's conventionally raised. In this recipe, the chicken is butterflied for quicker cooking.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    Makes 6 servings

Ingredients

1/4 cup (loosely packed) fresh rosemary leaves, finely chopped, plus 3 whole fresh rosemary sprigs
5 juniper berries*
2 garlic cloves, chopped
1/2 teaspoon black peppercorns
3/4 teaspoon fine sea salt or coarse kosher salt
4 teaspoons olive oil
1 5- to 6-pound whole chicken (preferably organic), backbone and neck removed (reserved for Light Homemade Chicken Stock , if making)

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Combine chopped rosemary and next 4 ingredients in mortar and crush with pestle or blend in mini processor until coarse paste forms. Mix in oil. Rinse chicken; pat dry. Rub 1 teaspoon herb mixture over bone side of chicken. Turn chicken over and open like book; place chicken, skin side up, on work surface. Loosen skin from breast and thigh meat; rub remaining herb mixture over meat under skin. Rub any remaining herb mixture on outside of chicken.

    Step 2

    Place rosemary sprigs in 13x9x2-inch ceramic or glass baking dish. Place chicken, skin side up, atop rosemary sprigs in dish. DO AHEAD: Can be made 8 hours ahead. Cover with plastic wrap and chill. Let stand at room temperature 1 hour before roasting.

    Step 3

    Position rack in center of oven and preheat to 400°F. Roast chicken uncovered until instant-read thermometer inserted into thickest part of thigh registers 170°F, about 1 1/2 hours. Transfer chicken to platter and serve.

  2. Step 4

    *Available in the spice section of most supermarkets.

  3. WHAT TO DRINK:

    Step 5

    Chardonnay is a good match for this menu. In keeping with the spirit of this earth-friendly dinner, go with a domestic bottle. We like the 2006 Frog's Leap Chardonnay ($24) from Napa, which has bright citrus and stone fruit flavors.

TagsWhole ChickenChickenPoultryRosemaryHerbs & SpicesMainDinnerNut FreeGluten FreeDairy FreeEasyQuickWeeknight Meals5 Ingredients or FewerRoastFood ProcessorFallWinterBon Appétit

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