Engagement Chicken

Ingredients

• 3 lbs whole chickens
• 2 medium lemons
• 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
• kosher salt or sea salt (to taste)
• ground black pepper (to taste)

Directions

1. 1

   Place rack in upper third of oven and preheat to 400 degrees.

2. 2

   Wash chicken inside and out with cold water, remove the giblets, then let the chicken drain, cavity down, in a colander until it reaches room temperature (about 15 min) Pat dry with paper towels.

3. 3

   Pour lemon juice all over the chicken (inside and outside) season with salt and pepper.

4. 4

   Prick the whole lemons three times with a fork and place deep inside the cavity.

5. 5

   (Tip: If lemons are hard, roll on the countertop with your palm to get juices flowing.) Place the chicken breast-side down on a rack in a roasting pan, lower heat to 350 and bake uncovered for 15 minutes.

6. 6

   Remove from oven and turn it breast-side up (use wooden spoons!); return it to oven for 35 minutes more.

7. 7

   Test for doneness - a meat thermometer inserted in the thigh should read 180, or juices should run clear when chicken is pricked with a fork.

8. 8

   Continue baking if necessary.

9. 9

   Let chicken cool for a few minutes before carving.

10. 10

    Serve with juices.

11. 11

    Serve with boiled new potatoes tossed with olive oil and fresh chopped parsley and/or steamed asparagus with butter.

12. 12

    Enjoy.