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    Home » recipes » chicken » Jonathan Waxman's Roast Chicken {recipe}

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    Jonathan Waxman's Roast Chicken {recipe}

    This is the roast chicken we tried over the weekend...

    It was perfect and delicious.

    And that's about as creative as I can get about roast chicken. Sometimes, it's just best to keep simple things simple.
    Jonathan Waxman's Roast Chicken, with salsa verde

    Salsa Verde

    Jonathan Waxman's Roast Chicken, in pan

    Jonathan Waxman's Roast Chicken, thermometer

    Jonathan Waxman's Roast Chicken, prep

    Jonathan Waxman's Roast Chicken Recipe (with Salsa Verde)

    adapted from a recipe in chef Jonathan Waxman's cookbook Italian, My Way {via New York Times}

    makes 4 servings

    INGREDIENTS

    1 whole chicken, 3½ pounds
    sea salt
    black pepper
    2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
    1 lemon (the recipe says "preferably Meyer." that made me laugh because like, ok whatever.)
    Salsa Verde {recipe here}

    DIRECTIONS

    Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.

    Wash the chicken in hot water and dry with paper towels. Using kitchen shears, cut out the backbone of the chicken and remove any fat. Then, using a heavy chef's knife, cut out the breastbone.

    Season the two halves with sea salt and fresh black pepper. Dab an earthenware or metal baking dish with 1 tablespoon of olive oil and place the chicken halves inside it, skin side up. Sprinkle with the remaining tablespoon of olive oil. Cut the lemon in half and place the halves, cut side down, next to the chicken in the baking dish. Roast for 35 minutes, basting every 8 minutes. Rotate the pan during basting to allow for even cooking. The chicken is done when the juices from the thigh run clear (about 155 degrees).

    Serve the chicken topped with the salsa verde, and garnish with the roasted lemon.

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    Comments

    1. Anastasia says

      September 06, 2012 at 3:32 pm

      Absolutely gorgeous!

      Reply
    2. chickenlover says

      September 06, 2012 at 6:50 pm

      those chickens in the bowl look like they're having a cosy heart to heart. "I've always had feelings for you Luisa... " Or maybe they're saying... "I hope this is an all-clad pan. I would have to be roasted in some lesser pan unworthy of my breasts."

      Reply
    3. lmj says

      September 09, 2012 at 9:20 pm

      Wow! Tried this recipe tonight, and it was DELISH!! Thank you so much for posting this recipe...

      Reply
      • Sarah J. Gim says

        September 09, 2012 at 9:40 pm

        lmj: you're welcome. and super happy to hear that it was delish for you!

        Reply
    4. Anonymous says

      December 13, 2022 at 6:34 pm

      Meyer lemons have a sweeter and more floral flavor (and less acidity) than regular lemons, which is why they are preferred for some recipes.

      You can substitute regular lemons, but it will change the final product.

      Reply

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