LEMON-PEPPER CHICKEN WITH HONEY LEMON SAUCE
Ingredients
CHICKEN
5 pound chicken (approx. weight)
2 tablespoons minced lemon zest
1 teaspoon minced fresh thyme
1 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper
1 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons butter
SAUCE
2 tablespoons butter
2 shallots, sliced
1 clove garlic, sliced
1/2 jalapeno pepper, finely chopped
2 tablespoons chopped fresh thyme
2 tablespoons chopped fresh sage
2 tablespoons chopped fresh rosemary
1/4 cup honey
1/3 cup lemon juice (fresh)
2 cups chicken broth
Instructions
1. Using your fingers, loosen the skin of the chicken over the breastbone, legs and thighs.
2. Tuck the lemon-pepper mixture evenly beneath the skin, covering each breast, leg and thigh.
3. Squeeze the juice from one of the lemon slices over the skin of the chicken.
4. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
5. Stuff the rest of the lemon slices into the cavity of the chicken.
6. Tie the legs together with kitchen twine.
7. Place the chicken in preheated 425 F (app 235 C) oven for 15 min., then lower temp. to 375 F (app 200 C).
8. To prepare the sauce, place the pan over medium heat and add the butter, shallots, garlic and jalapeno.
9. Sauté until softened, about 2 min.
10. Add the thyme, sage, and rosemary and sauté 1 min. more.
11. Add the honey, lemon juice and chicken broth and simmer for about 5 minutes to reduce.
12. Serve chicken with sauce.
