Roast citrus-herb chicken and gravy

There’s nothing like a tasty roast chicken recipe to bring the family together on a weekend.

Preparation time: 20 minutes

Cooking time: 2 hours + standing time

Serves: 6

Ingredients

• 2kg whole roasting chicken
• 1 lemon, quartered
• 1 orange, quartered
• 3 thyme sprigs, plus extra for garnish
• 3 rosemary sprigs
• 1 tbs olive oil
• 2 heads unpeeled garlic, halved horizontally
• 2 tbs all-purpose flour
• 1½ cups reduced-salt chicken broth

Method

1. Heat oven to 220°C with shelf in centre position. Pat the chicken dry and then place on a lightly oiled rack set inside a heavy roasting pan. Tuck the wings under the chicken and fill the cavity with the lemon, orange, thyme and rosemary. Tie the legs together with kitchen string, then rub the chicken with oil and season with salt and pepper.
2. Roast the chicken for 15 minutes. Reduce heat to 190°C and roast for another 45 minutes. Add the garlic to the pan, cut side up, and continue to roast 45 minutes to 1 hour longer, turning the pan every so often, until a thermometer inserted into the meatiest part of a thigh (without touching bone) registers 74°C.
3. Transfer the chicken to a cutting board and cover loosely with foil. Let stand 15 to 20 minutes before carving. Reserve the roasted garlic. Remove the rack from the pan and transfer any juices to a heatproof measuring jug, putting the pan aside. Skim fat from the juices and reserve 1½ tbs fat. Add the flour and reserved fat to the pan and stir together. Cook over medium heat 1 to 2 minutes, stirring, until golden. Add juices and broth, whisking until smooth. Simmer gravy about 4 minutes, until thickened. Season with salt and pepper. Cover and keep warm. (Makes about 1 cup.)
4. Cut the string from the chicken. Remove and discard the fruit and herbs. Carve the meat and serve with gravy and the roasted garlic. Garnish with thyme, if desired.

Recipe courtesy of Prevention magazine.