quick butterflied roast chicken

  • 1 x 1.6kg whole chicken
  • 4 bulbs garlic, halved horizontally
  • 3 lemons, sliced into 2cm rounds
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • sea salt and cracked black pepper
  1. Preheat oven to 220°C (425°F).
  2. Place the chicken, breast-side down, on a board so the back is facing up and the drumsticks are pointing towards you.
  3. Using sharp kitchen scissors or chicken shears, cut closely along each side of the backbone. Remove and discard the backbone.
  4. Turn the chicken, breast-side up, and press down firmly on the breastbone to flatten the chicken.
  5. Arrange the garlic and lemon on an oven tray lined with non-stick baking paper. Top with the chicken, breast-side up, tucking in the wing tips.
  6. Brush the chicken with the oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Roast for 35–40 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through. Serves 4–6

TIPS
+ Butterflying a chicken allows it  to roast more quickly and evenly.
+ Placing the chicken on a ‘bed’ of lemon and garlic infuses it with amazing flavour as it roasts.

Photography: William Meppem

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artie Giovas

I’ve cooked this many times and it never fails! Tastes so tasty! Never dry and easy to prepare.

Rebecca Macri

AWESOME RESULT! I saw Donna Hay prepare this on tv recently, and as I had a whole chook in the freezer I thought ‘I shall give this a try’!

I’ve never roasted a whole chook before, and I stuffed up by hacking into the wrong side to cut out backbone, but it still turned out beautifully- so moist and delicious, lots of lovely lemony garlic flavour in the meat. Even my super fussy kids ate it.

Thank you for such a wonderful and easy recipe!

Pearl Wastie

That was the tastiest chicken we’ve eaten. The star rating does not seem to work when you tap on it. I’ve given it a 4 and my partner agrees that it was most enjoyable. I tried clicking on it again but no go. Thanks for sharing your wonderful recipes and I really enjoy your TV programs.

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