Saturday, February 23, 2008

Lemon Sage Butter Roasted Chicken

*Note: I've tweaked this recipe a bit, so look for italicized changes below!*
Kudos to Katie for her recipe request!

Now, for the full disclaimer: I have never written down any sort of recipe for this, so what I'm about to present is merely my best guess. Here's how it came about: One day, I had thawed a whole chicken to roast for dinner. I had seen chefs on the Food Network putting things under the skin to flavor the meat, and I thought that was a smash-up idea. The only problem was that, at the time I had this thawed chicken on hand, I seemed to have none of the actual things these chefs used. But I know that lemon, sage, and butter all work well with poultry, so I figured I'd give it a go and make up my own under-the-skin thing. Luckily, it worked like a charm.

This week, when I made this chicken, I used a whole chicken breast, and also brined it. The chicken comes from my mother-in-law, who, during the warm months, has been known to occasionally raise chickens for eating. (I'm not sure why, but something about that sentence makes my mother-in-law seem like some sort of barbarian.) Well, her chickens end up HUGE--so huge that a whole chicken breast is actually good for two meals for our family. I have never seen whole chicken breasts like this in the grocery store, but if you ever happen upon them, give 'em a try!

And last, before we get to the recipe: don't be put off by the length of the instructions. It's actually quite easy, it just so happens I'm feeling very chatty today and I couldn't stop myself from typing a lot of needless words.

Lemon Butter Sage Roasted Chicken

1 3-4 lb. chicken
1/2 c butter, softened
1-2 tsp. lemon juice (I didn't measure)
1 tsp. rubbed sage (or more, if you love sage so much you want to marry it)
3-4 cloves garlic, pressed
olive oil
kosher or ground sea salt
ground pepper

Brine:
2 quarts hot water
1/2 c. salt
1/3 c. brown sugar
1 tsp. dried lemon peel

Rinse chicken. In a very large bowl, combine ingredients for brine, and stir until salt and sugar are dissolved. When the water has cooled a bit (room temperature-ish), submerge the chicken, breast side down. Cover bowl, and chuck it (gingerly) into the fridge, where it can rest for a very long time. Shoot for several hours. Two, maybe? Three? It's not an exact science. *Note: I don't always brine, and this chicken still turns out pretty yummy, so don't fret if you opt to skip this step.

In the meantime, and pretty much right before you want to roast the chicken, mix together the softened butter, lemon juice, sage and garlic. You will want this mixture to be pretty pliable (but not runny) when you use it, so keep it at room temperature.

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Yes, that's right. Rinse chicken and pat dry. Using your fingers, loosen the skin from the breast, taking care not to tear it. The reason for this is two-fold: 1) it will give you a place to slide your delicious butter mixture, and 2) it will make for crispier, golden brown skin. (At our house, we like to eat the yummy crispy skin, but don't tell our cardiologist. Okay, we don't have a cardiologist, but if we did, this is the kind of thing we'd keep secret.)

Using a spoon, take portions of the butter and slide them under the skin. Just shove the spoon under there, and use your fingers on the outside of the skin to scoot the butter to where you want it to be. When you're satisfied with your butter distribution, pat the skin dry again, rub a little olive oil on the skin, and season with a bit of salt. Also, generously salt and pepper the cavity of the bird.

Place chicken in whatever vessel you're cooking it in (uncovered, of course), breast side up.* Let it roast at 425 until done. When is it done? Good question. I use a thermometer with an alarm--I put it into the thickest part of the thigh, set the temp at 165, and walk away until it beeps at me. If you only have an instant-read thermometer, test it at about 50 minutes, and adjust cooking time accordingly. If you have neither, you're on your own. I'd say that an hour and a quarter to an hour and a half will be about right, but don't hold me to that.

When you remove it from the oven, let it rest without cutting it for about 15 minutes. Then, dig in and enjoy! Spoon the pan juices over the chicken for extra scrumptious flavor.

*Another note: if you're using a whole chicken, you may want to consider putting your chicken on some sort of rack to keep it elevated from the bottom of the pan so the bottom isn't soggy and flaccid. Sometimes, I butterfly the chicken by cutting out the backbone with a pair of kitchen shears and smooshing the chicken flat. Then I line the bottom of the roasting pan with large chunks of celery and onion and place the butterflied chicken on top of that--this also serves as an "aromatic," flavoring the meat as well. PLUS, butterflying the chicken cuts the total roasting time. Or, skip the butterflying step, and use celery ribs for a simple "rack" under the whole chicken. (I just did this a few days ago with some limp-looking celery. I curled the celery ribs up in the bottom of a cast-iron skillet and put the chicken on top. Worked great!)

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

Your lemon sage chicken sounds absolutely YUMMY!! Do you get under the skin with your fingers, or do you use a spoon (bowl-down) to avoid tearing the skin? Do you use fresh sage or dried?

Brining makes a world of difference in the flavor and texture, but starting it at 450 helps, too. It almost has the same effect as searing beef--it enhances the flavor instead of cooking the flavor out. Cooking chicken for a short time at a high temperature keeps it tender and juicy, too. The thermometer with an alarm is a great idea, too! Where did you find one?
I have found that the resting time is just as important to the redistribution of the juices as is the short cooking time. I promise not to tell your future cardiologist about your eating the crispy skin, but I suspect s/he will figure that out eventually on his/her own.

Thanks for your wonderful recipes! You make my life easier--you do the thinking for me! My family and friends appreciate you for that.

Charis & Judah's Mom said...

Thanks, anonymous! To answer a few of your questions:
1) After first loosening the skin gently with my fingers, I use a spoon--bowl up--to slide the butter mixture under the skin. Then, using the hand that is not holding the spoon, I push the butter off the spoon from the outside of the skin, and then, also from the outside, smoosh it around until it winds up where I want it to be.

2)I use dried rubbed sage.

3) I have owned two alarms in my day (one got melted in a very tragic broiler incident), and one was purchased at Meijer, and one at WalMart. I'm sure you could buy a fancy-schmancy one at a specialty store, but I've spent a mere $10 on each of mine, and they work just fine.

Onna said...

Thanks for posting this, girl! I haven't visited here in a while, so i'm catching up. I'm planning some chicken leg roast for the weekend. i think I'll give it a go on a small scale, one that would fit the legs. Since they still have skin on them i'll smoosh it under there. And I'll plan the full blown recipe for later on this week.
Hugs!

Sarah said...

Just the recipe I was looking for! I'm going to roast some maryland pieces instead of a whole chicken, and instead of putting lemon juice in the butter mix, I'm putting the lemon zest for extra lemony flavour.

Thanks!
Sarah,
Sydney, Australia

Anonymous said...

Wanna Get HIGH? Running out of Supply? Then Check Out My Shit!
>>>>> http://bestlegalhighsdrugs.info <<<<
If you have questions, you can email my boy at online.mentor [at] gmail.com


[size=1] IGNORE THIS----------------------------
restaurant guide raleigh north carolina salvai divionrum [url=http://bestlegalhighsdrugs.info] natural highs [/url] best type of kratom crystal meth chat room [url=http://buybudshoplegalherbs.info] legal herbs[/url] How To Make Crystal Meth Ice amaniat muscaria [url=HTTP://BUYINGMARIJUANASALE.INFO] Purchase Cannabis Sativa [/url] manita musvaria amamita muscaeia [url=HTTP://BUYLEGALBUDSCOMREVIEWS.INFO] buy legalbuds [/url] meth users before and after pictures amanita virosa [url=HTTP://CANNABISHIGH-PILLSHIGH.INFO] Marijuana Intoxications[/url] amanita muscaria laws hsshish [url=HTTP://HOWTOBUYWEED-BUYINGWEED.INFO] buying marijuana[/url] amnaita muscaaria hispanic cultural foods [url=http://legalbud.drugreviews.info] legalbuds [/url]

amaniga musxaria crystal meth glass [url=http://legalweed.lamodalatina.com] legal weed [/url] esctasy pilla legla busd [url=http://buysalvia.lamodalatina.com] purchase salvia plants[/url] bufp alvariud aamanita muuscaria

10 best legal highs salvai divvinorum [url=http://legalweed.lamodalatina.com] legal weeds [/url] magical mushrooms aslvia divinourm [url=http://buysalviacheap.com] get salvia extracts[/url] buy amanita muscaria mushrooms free salvia sample
[url=http://guaranteedheightincrease.info/]height enhancement[/url] - http://guaranteedheightincrease.info/

[url=http://provenpenisenlargement.info/]proven penis lengthening[/url] - http://provenpenisenlargement.info/

[url=http://provenskincareadvice.info/]skin care techniques[/url] - http://provenskincareadvice.info/

[url=http://getrichgambling.info/]get rich gambling[/url] - http://getrichgambling.info/

[url=http://herpesoutbreak-gentalwarts.info/]herpes outbreak[/url] - http://herpesoutbreak-gentalwarts.info/

[url=http://STOP-PREMATURE-EJACULATION-SOLUTIONS.INFO]stop premature ejaculation[/url] - http://STOP-PREMATURE-EJACULATION-SOLUTIONS.INFO

[url=http://3GMOBILEPHONESFORSALE.INFO]3g mobile cell phone on sale[/url] - http://3GMOBILEPHONESFORSALE.INFO

[url=http://internationaloddities.reviewsdiscountsonline.com] internationaloddities[/url]

[url=http://drobuds.reviewsdiscountsonline.com]reviews of dro bud [/url]

[url=http://bestacnetreatmentreviews.info] best acne treatment reviews[/url] http://bestacnetreatmentreviews.info

[url=HTTP://LEARN-HYPNOSIS-ONLINE.INFO]learn hypnotism online[/url]

Anonymous said...

Hi,

I'm here online for the children of Haiti.

I'm doing this for a non-profit group that gives their time to
building oppurtunities for the kids in haiti. If anyone wants to help then do so here:

[url=http://universallearningcentre.org]Donate to Haiti[/url] or Help Haiti

They give children in Haiti a positive outlook through education.

Yes, they're a real cause.

Anything would be appreciated

Anonymous said...

Hello,
I have developed a new clean web 2.0 wordpress theme.

Has 2 colours silver and blue, has custom header(colour or image).
I am curently working on it, so if you have suggestions let me know.

You can view live demo and download from here www.getbelle.com
If you found bug reports or you have suggestions pm me.
Wish you a happing using.

many thanks to [url=http://www.usainstantpayday.com/]USAInstantPayDay.com[/url] for paying the hosting and developement of the theme

KibDriessenab

Anonymous said...

jennifer s body starring megan fox, [url=http://discuss.tigweb.org/thread/187756]megan fox top[/url] fake megan fox photos
kim kardashian sex tape video, [url=http://discuss.tigweb.org/thread/187768]kim kardashian sez tape tube[/url] what size is kim kardashian
taylor swift and lucas till, [url=http://discuss.tigweb.org/thread/187772]taylor swift band members[/url] taylor latner and taylor swift
hannah montana fleece materials, [url=http://discuss.tigweb.org/thread/187786]hannah montana series 2 torrent[/url] hannah montana who said
harry potter and the half-blood prince, [url=http://discuss.tigweb.org/thread/187792]aunt marge sadistic interest in harry potter fanfic[/url] delores umbridge harry potter
discovery cruises to bahamas, [url=http://discuss.tigweb.org/thread/187798]cruises from florida to jamaica[/url] cruises to cancun, mexico
justin bieber favourite girl, [url=http://discuss.tigweb.org/thread/187812]bigger justin bieber mp3[/url] common denominator by justin bieber lyrics
britney spears on the cover of esquire, [url=http://discuss.tigweb.org/thread/187814]britney spears video hot[/url] foos de britney spears
hope & faith megan fox, [url=http://discuss.tigweb.org/thread/175542]lesbian megan fox[/url] megan fox jennifer's body

Anonymous said...

if you guys desideratum to poison [url=http://www.generic4you.com]viagra[/url] online you can do it at www.generic4you.com, the most trusted viagra pharmaceutics written well generic drugs.
you can slip on drugs like [url=http://www.generic4you.com/Sildenafil_Citrate_Viagra-p2.html]viagra[/url], [url=http://www.generic4you.com/Tadalafil-p1.html]cialis[/url], [url=http://www.generic4you.com/VardenafilLevitra-p3.html]levitra[/url] and more at www.rxpillsmd.net, the shah [url=http://www.rxpillsmd.net]viagra[/url] origination on the web. well another great [url=http://www.i-buy-viagra.com]viagra[/url] pharmacy you can find at www.i-buy-viagra.com

Anonymous said...

Predilection casinos? endorse this advanced [url=http://www.realcazinoz.com]online casino[/url] advisor and postpone online casino games like slots, blackjack, roulette, baccarat and more at www.realcazinoz.com .
you can also check our untrained [url=http://freecasinogames2010.webs.com]casino[/url] give something at http://freecasinogames2010.webs.com and flourish in true folding change !
another late-model [url=http://www.ttittancasino.com]casino spiele[/url] locality is www.ttittancasino.com , in lieu of of german gamblers, fetch unrestrained online casino bonus.

Anonymous said...

Hi people,

What online mags do you read and would recommend?

For all you punk people out there I recommend The Enough Fanzine. It is one of the first rock zines on the www.

They have throusands of reviews from the most underground bands all over the world. Check them out online: [url=http://www.enoughfanzine.com]Enough Fanzine[/url]. Best of it all, they are 100% non-profit and just helping the scene!

Looking forward to your recommendations.

Cheers!

Anonymous said...

well guys! coincide the latest unregulated rid of [url=http://www.casinolasvegass.com]casino[/url] games like roulette and slots !after completely like a light the all mod deliver [url=http://www.casinolasvegass.com]online casino[/url] games at the all redone www.casinolasvegass.com, the most trusted [url=http://www.casinolasvegass.com]online casinos[/url] on the cobweb! high-class our [url=http://www.casinolasvegass.com/download.html]free casino software download[/url] and be victorious in money.
you can also substantiate other [url=http://sites.google.com/site/onlinecasinogames2010/]online casinos bonus[/url] . check out this new [url=http://www.place-a-bet.net/]online casino[/url].

Anonymous said...

Predilection casinos? certify this contemporary [url=http://www.realcazinoz.com]casino[/url] games. drive and take up online casino games like slots, blackjack, roulette, baccarat and more at www.realcazinoz.com .
you can also impede our novel [url=http://freecasinogames2010.webs.com]casino[/url] orientate at http://freecasinogames2010.webs.com and win actual compressed currency !
another trendy [url=http://www.ttittancasino.com]casino[/url] spiele plot is www.ttittancasino.com , in the course of german gamblers, offshoot in freed online casino bonus.

Anonymous said...

looking for [url=http://www.web-house.co.il/SEO%20Specialist.htm]seo specialist[/url] ? check for all to see our [url=http://www.smashflash.com/]free twinkling of an eye templates[/url] and influence your own falsh website for democratic today, mammoth set of set free [url=http://www.smashflash.com/]flash templates[/url] with a view you online, profuse supplementary designs with ir without flash.
so choose your [url=http://www.smashflash.com/]free flash template[/url] from the larget [url=http://www.smashflash.com/]flash templates[/url] selection. so get your [url=http://www.smashflash.com/]free website templates[/url] now and build your [url=http://www.smashflash.com/]free website[/url] .
want to watch [url=http://www.sex4sex.co.il/adult-movies.htm]adult movies[/url]? or even to [url=http://www.sex4sex.co.il/]buy viagra[/url] online, check this new [url=http://www.toys4sex.co.il/]online pharmacy[/url] for great deals. so [url=http://www.ewgpresents.com/]buy viagra[/url] online. check out this [url=http://www.realcazinoz.com/fr//]Casino en ligne[/url]. or [url=http://sites.google.com/site/casinospiele2010//]casino spiele [/url]. [url=http://www.cd-empty.com/]online casinos[/url] , check out this great [url=http://www.omniget.co.il/]online casino bonus[/url] .

Anonymous said...

ومن الواضح ان هناك الكثير لمعرفة ذلك. أعتقد أنك قدمت بعض النقاط الجيدة في ميزات أيضا. الاستمرار في العمل ، عملا عظيما!

Mica said...

Thank you for sharing this recipe, one favorite of the whole family. I'll try this over the weekend!