Honey-Butter Baked Chicken
Ingredients:
- 1 (3 to 3 1/2-pound) whole chicken, rinsed and patted dry
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon fresh cracked black pepper
- 6 tablespoons honey
- 1 lemon, zested
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon room temperature unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
Directions:
1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Arrange a rack inside a large roasting pan and set aside.
2. Season the chicken both inside and out with the kosher salt and black pepper.
3. In a small bowl, combine the honey, lemon zest and juice and butter. Place the chicken on a rack in a roasting pan breast side up and roast until lightly browned, about 15 minutes. Using a pastry brush, brush half of the honey mixture over the chicken, as well as sprinkling half the thyme over the chicken and return the chicken to the oven.
4. Continue to cook another 30 minutes, or until an instant-read thermometer inserted in the thickest part of the thigh registers 180 degrees F. Remove the chicken from the oven and brush the remaining honey blend and sprinkle the remainder of the thyme over the chicken.
5. Remove the chicken from the oven and transfer to a platter or cutting board to rest for 10 minutes before carving.
6. To serve, spoon the sweet potatoes into the center of 4 large plates and arrange the chicken on top. Drizzle the chicken with any remaining pan juices and serve immediately.
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