Classic Roast Chicken and Gravy

A great family dinner

• Ready In: 1 hr 50 mins
• Serves: 6

Ingredients

• 1 (5 lb)  roasting chickens
• 1⁄2 onion
• 4  garlic cloves
• 1⁄2 lemon
• 1  tablespoon olive oil
• 1  tablespoon butter
• 3⁄4 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1⁄4 teaspoon  crumbled dried rosemary
• 1⁄4 teaspoon salt
• 1⁄4 teaspoon pepper
• 2  tablespoons flour
• 3⁄4 cup  chicken stock

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C).
2. Remove giblets and neck, if present, from chicken. Rinse chicken inside and out; pat dry.
3. Place onion and garlic in chicken cavity. Squeeze juice from lemon and set aside; add lemon skin to cavity.
4. Tuck wings under back of chicken; tie legs together with kitchen string. Brush all over with oil; sprinkle with thyme, rosemary, salt and pepper. Place, breast side up, on rack in roasting pan. Roast, uncovered, in oven for 1 1/2 hours.
5. Baste chicken with pan juices. Roast, basting occasionally, for about 1 1/2 hours longer or until juices run clear when thigh is pierced and meat thermometer inserted in thigh registers 185°F (85°C). Transfer chicken to platter and tent with foil; let stand 10 minutes before carving.
6. Skim fat from juices in pan. Sprinkle flour over juices; cook over medium-high heat, whisking, for 1 minute. Drizzle in chicken stock and 2 tablespoons (25 mL) reserved lemon juice; cook, whisking, for about 3 minutes or until thickened. Pour into warmed gravy boat.
7. Cut string holding legs together; discard onion, lemon and garlic. Using poultry or kitchen shears, cut chicken into 2 breast and 2 leg portions. Cut each breast in half diagonally. Cut through each leg at joint to separate into drumsticks and thigh. Serve with gravy.