Zesty Garlic-Lemon Roasted Chicken

Ingredients:

• 1 whole chicken (around 1.5 kg)
• 2 lemons
• 1 large bulb of garlic
• 4 sprigs of fresh rosemary
• 4 sprigs of fresh thyme
• 1/2 cup of olive oil
• Black pepper and kosher salt to taste

Nutritional Information (per serving, 4 servings total):

• Calories: 640
• Protein: 72g
• Fat: 36g
• Carbs: 14g

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F).
2. Cut one of the lemons into quarters and the other into slices. Separate the garlic bulb into individual cloves, leaving the skin on.
3. Rinse the chicken under cool water, then pat dry with paper towels. Once dry, season the chicken inside and out with salt and pepper. Stuff the chicken cavity with the lemon quarters, half of the garlic cloves, and the fresh sprigs of rosemary and thyme.
4. Arrange the remaining garlic cloves and lemon slices in a roasting pan, then place the stuffed chicken on top. Drizzle with olive oil, ensuring all parts of the chicken skin are nicely coated, then season with more salt and pepper if desired.
5. Roast the chicken in your preheated oven for around 1 hour and 20 minutes, or until a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh reads 74°C (165°F).
6. Once cooked, leave the chicken to rest for around 10 minutes before serving.

Plating:

Place the roasted garlic and lemon around the edge of a large round platter. Position the chicken in the middle and lightly pull apart to reveal the juicy, aromatic stuffing. Drizzle over some of the pan juices over the chicken for added flavor and moisture. Garnish with fresh rosemary and thyme sprigs. The final result should be a stunning centerpiece where the golden-brown, crispy skinned chicken is complemented by the vibrant, charred lemon slices and soft, caramelized garlic.