Herb-Infused Basil Garlic Roast Chicken
Indulge in this exquisite herb-infused roast chicken, where succulent meat meets the fragrant essence of fresh basil. Boasting a delightful garlic sauce crafted from 30 roasted cloves, this dish is not just a meal, but a culinary experience that envelops your taste buds in aromatic bliss. The slow-roasting method allows the flavors to meld beautifully, creating a golden-brown exterior while keeping the meat tender and juicy on the inside. Perfect for family gatherings or special occasions, this recipe will have everyone craving seconds and strategizing how to eliminate any lingering garlic breath! Just be prepared to enjoy the leftovers; this dish is so delicious, you might want to make it again for lunch the next day.
4
Servings
600
Calories
11
Ingredients
Ingredients
whole chicken
2 1/2 to 3 lb. (cleaned, rinsed, and patted dry)
unsalted butter
2 tablespoons (softened)
fresh basil
1/4 cup (chopped)
fresh parsley
1/4 cup (chopped)
salt
1/4 teaspoon (to taste)
ground black pepper
1/8 teaspoon (to taste)
fresh basil leaves
1 cup (whole leaves)
garlic cloves
30 cloves (unpeeled)
lemon juice
1/4 cup (freshly squeezed)
chicken stock or broth
2 cups (low sodium)
fresh basil leaves
for garnish (whole)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2
Prepare the chicken by removing any excess fat, neck, liver, and gizzards from the cavity. Rinse the chicken thoroughly and pat it dry with paper towels.
3
Carefully separate the skin from the flesh of the chicken, starting from the front and moving to the back, ensuring you don’t tear the skin.
4
In a small bowl, combine the softened unsalted butter, chopped basil, chopped parsley, salt, and ground black pepper. Mix well until well combined.
5
Rub half of the herb butter mixture under the loosened skin of the chicken, making sure to spread it evenly. Tuck half of the fresh basil leaves under the skin as well, focusing on covering the thigh and leg areas.
6
Stuff the body cavity with 4 of the unpeeled garlic cloves and scatter the remaining garlic cloves in the roasting pan.
7
Pour in the lemon juice and chicken stock or broth into the pan around the chicken.
8
Position the chicken breast-side up on top of the garlic and liquid in the pan.
9
Roast the chicken in the preheated oven for about 1 hour, basting it occasionally with the pan juices. The chicken is done when its juices run clear when pierced at the thickest part of the thigh.
10
Once cooked, transfer the chicken to a heated platter and cover it loosely with aluminum foil to retain warmth.
11
In a blender, pour the pan juices with the roasted garlic cloves and puree until smooth. The garlic skins will stay intact.
12
Strain the puree through a sieve into a medium saucepan, using the back of a spoon to press down on the garlic skins for maximum flavor extraction.
13
Bring the liquid to a gentle simmer over medium heat for about 3 minutes, and season with additional salt and pepper to taste.
14
Carve the chicken into serving pieces, drizzling the garlic sauce over the top, and finish with a garnish of fresh basil leaves.
Nutrition Information
37.5g
Fat
10g
Carbs
50g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main flavor profile of the Herb-Infused Basil Garlic Roast Chicken?
The dish features succulent meat infused with the fragrant essence of fresh basil and a rich sauce made from 30 roasted garlic cloves.
How many garlic cloves are required for this recipe?
This recipe calls for a total of 30 unpeeled garlic cloves.
What is the recommended oven temperature for roasting the chicken?
The oven should be preheated to 350°F (175°C).
How long does the chicken need to roast?
The chicken should roast for approximately 1 hour, or until the juices run clear when the thigh is pierced.
How many people does this recipe serve?
This recipe is designed to serve 4 people.
What are the nutritional facts regarding calories and protein?
Each serving contains approximately 600 calories and 50 grams of protein.
Should the garlic cloves be peeled before roasting?
No, the recipe specifies using 30 unpeeled garlic cloves in the roasting pan and cavity.
How is the herb butter prepared?
Combine softened unsalted butter with chopped basil, chopped parsley, salt, and ground black pepper in a small bowl.
Where should the herb butter be applied to the chicken?
Half of the herb butter mixture should be rubbed under the loosened skin of the chicken, specifically covering the thigh and leg areas.
What liquids are added to the roasting pan?
Pour 1/4 cup of fresh lemon juice and 2 cups of chicken stock or broth into the pan around the chicken.
How do I prepare the chicken before cooking?
Remove excess fat and organs from the cavity, rinse the chicken thoroughly, and pat it dry with paper towels.
What is the fat content per serving?
Each serving contains approximately 37.5 grams of fat.
How many carbohydrates are in this dish?
There are 10 grams of carbohydrates per serving.
Should the chicken be placed breast-side up or down?
The chicken should be positioned breast-side up on top of the garlic and liquid in the roasting pan.
How is the garlic sauce created?
The pan juices and roasted garlic cloves are pureed in a blender until smooth, then strained and simmered.
What should I do after the chicken is finished roasting?
Transfer the chicken to a heated platter and cover it loosely with aluminum foil to keep it warm while preparing the sauce.
Why is the garlic sauce strained through a sieve?
Straining removes the intact garlic skins while allowing the flavor and pulp to be extracted for a smooth sauce.
How much chicken is needed for this recipe?
You will need one whole chicken weighing between 2 1/2 to 3 lbs.
What herbs are used in the butter mixture?
The mixture uses 1/4 cup each of fresh chopped basil and fresh chopped parsley.
How many garlic cloves go inside the chicken cavity?
Four of the unpeeled garlic cloves should be stuffed into the body cavity.
How long should the garlic sauce simmer?
The sauce should be brought to a gentle simmer over medium heat for about 3 minutes.
Is basting necessary during roasting?
Yes, you should baste the chicken occasionally with the pan juices during the one-hour roasting period.
What is the suggested garnish for this dish?
The finished dish should be garnished with fresh whole basil leaves.
What type of chicken stock is recommended?
The recipe suggests using low-sodium chicken stock or broth.
How do I extract maximum flavor from the garlic when making the sauce?
Use the back of a spoon to press down on the garlic skins while straining the puree into the saucepan.
What should I do with the remaining fresh basil leaves?
Tuck half of the whole basil leaves under the chicken skin and use the rest for garnishing the final carved pieces.
Can this recipe be used for special occasions?
Yes, it is described as perfect for family gatherings or special occasions due to its exquisite flavor and presentation.
Does the recipe include salt and pepper?
Yes, salt and ground black pepper are used both in the herb butter and for final seasoning of the sauce.
What is the recommended prep for the garlic?
The garlic cloves should be left unpeeled for both the roasting process and the initial blending.
How should the chicken be served?
The chicken should be carved into pieces and drizzled with the prepared garlic sauce before serving.