Orange Garlic Roast Chicken

Orange Garlic Roast Chicken
 
Ingredients
  • 1 small orange
  • 3¼ lb (1.7 kg) whole chicken
  • 4 garlic cloves, bruised plus 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • ½ cup butter
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 3 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro
  • 1 tbsp fresh chopped mint
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ tsp cracked black pepper
Instructions
  1. Grease a wire rack and place it in a roasting pan.
  2. Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C).
  3. Grate 1 teaspoon of zest from the orange and put it in a small saucepan.
  4. Cut the orange into quarters.
  5. Rinse the chicken inside and out with cold water and pat dry with paper towel.
  6. Put the bruised garlic cloves and orange inside the chicken.
  7. Tie the legs together and tuck the wings behind.
  8. Place the chicken in the prepared pan.
  9. Melt the butter with the zest over medium low heat.
  10. Add the remaining ingredients.
  11. Brush some of the butter mixture over the chicken.
  12. Roast, uncovered in the preheated oven, brushing with the butter mixture during cooking, for about 1½ hours, or until cooked and the juices run clear when the chicken is pierced around the thigh bone (or when a meat thermometer reads 180°F (82°C) when inserted into the thickest part of the thigh).
  13. Cover the chicken with foil to keep warm and let stand for 10 minutes before carving.
Notes
Make Ahead: The chicken can be prepared a day ahead. Store covered, in the refrigerator. Let stand at room temperature for 1 hour before roasting.

Serving Suggestions: Serve with mashed orange sweet potato and steamed green beans.

Tip: To jazz-up a simple roast chicken, try adding ingredients such as: lemon, rosemary, garlic, onion, lemongrass and whole spices into the cavity of the chicken. The aromas will permeate through the meat producing subtle but delicious flavors.