Name: Lemon Basil Chicken
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 75 min
Total time: 90 min
Yield: 6 servings
Ingredients: 1 medium lemon; 2 peeled garlic cloves, divided; 1/4 cup minced fresh basil, divided; 1 broiler/fryer chicken (3 to 4 pounds); 2 tablespoons butter, melted; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/4 teaspoon pepper

For Sunday dinner or any time, this tender, fragrant chicken is special. —;Marguerite Marshall, Carencro, Louisiana

Ingredients

1 medium lemon

2 peeled garlic cloves, divided

1/4 cup minced fresh basil, divided

1 broiler/fryer chicken (3 to 4 pounds)

2 tablespoons butter, melted

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

Instructions

1 Preheat oven to 375°. Finely grate enough zest from lemon to measure 2 teaspoons. Cut lemon in half; squeeze juice from 1 half. Set aside. Slice 1 garlic clove; place sliced garlic, 2 tablespoons basil and the remaining lemon half in the chicken cavity.

2 Place on a rack in a shallow roasting pan; rub with reserved lemon juice. Mince remaining garlic; combine with butter and reserved lemon zest. Rub mixture over chicken. Sprinkle with salt, pepper and remaining basil.

3 Bake, uncovered, 1-1/4 to 1-1/2 hours or until a thermometer inserted in thigh reads 180°. Let stand 15 minutes before carving.