Ingredients
- For the chicken
- 1 whole chicken, 3 1/2 to 4 pounds in weight
- 2-3 tablespoons butter, melted
- salt and pepper
- 1/2 cup salt for brining or use an infuser
- For the garlic paste
- 8 to 10 cloves of roasted garlic or 2 or 3 cloves of raw garlic.
- 1/4 cup softened butter.
Preparation
Step 1
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
1. Make the garlic paste by mincing the garlic and then mixing it in a small bowl with the softened butter until you have made a paste. Set aside.
2. Wash the chicken and pat it dry. Salt and pepper the body cavity. Place the chicken on a vertical or horizontal baking rack. If you have not soaked the chicken, use a vertical rack with an infuser. Fill the reservoir with the liquid of your choice.
3. Use a pastry brush to brush the skin of the chicken with the melted butter. Use a spoon to lift the skin away from the breast meat. Spoon the garlic paste into the pockets and press on the skin to spread the paste onto the breasts. (See how this is done in a video clip.)
4. Place the chicken in the center of the oven and roast it until it is done, one hour to an hour and 15 minutes. Test for doneness with an insta-read thermometer. (See below.)