Perfectly Roasted Chicken

Heat the oven to its highest temperature setting, which is equivalent to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).

Combine softened butter, minced garlic, dried thyme, and fragrant rosemary in a bowl to create a flavorful paste. Add some grated lemon zest, a pinch of salt, and a few grinds of black pepper to the mixture.

Gently pry open the skin on the chicken breast, then spread the butter-garlic mixture evenly between the skin and the underlying meat. Press the skin firmly to ensure it adheres uniformly.

Sprinkle a generous amount of oil over the chicken, along with some additional salt and pepper to taste. Place sliced lemons inside the cavity of the chicken, then position it in a baking dish.

Place the chicken in the preheated oven and baste it periodically, about every 30 minutes, until it reaches a safe internal temperature of 165 degrees F (74 degrees C), which should take around an hour. To check the temperature, insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the thigh, near the bone.

Once cooked, remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for 15 minutes before carving.