Thyme-Roasted Chicken with Garlic Gravy Recipe

Thyme-Roasted Chicken with Garlic Gravy Recipe

  • 1 chicken (about 3½ lbs/1/75 kg)
  • 10 cloves garlic, peeled
  • 1 tsp (5 mL) dried thyme leaves
  • ¼ tsp (1 mL) salt
  • ¼ tsp (1 mL) freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 1/3 cups (325 mL) reduced-sodium chicken broth, divided
  • ½ cup (125 mL) white wine or additional chicken broth
  • 1 tbsp (15 mL) all purpose flour
  • Roasting pan with rack
  1. Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C)
  2. Remove giblets and neck from chicken. Rinse and pat chicken dry inside and out. Place 2 cloves garlic inside cavity. Starting at cavity opening, gently lift skin and rub thyme, salt and pepper over breasts and legs. Tie legs together with string; tuck wings under back.
  3. Add remaining garlic, 2/3 cup (150 mL) chicken broth and wine to roasting pan; place chicken, breast side up, on rack in pan.
  4. Roast in preheated oven, basting every 30 minutes, adding additional broth if pan juices evaporate, for 1 ¾ to 2 hours or until pan juices run clear when chicken is pierced and meat thermometer inserted in thigh registers 185°F (85°C).
  5. Transfer to a platter; tent with foil and let stand for 10 minutes before carving. Meanwhile, strain pan juices into measure, pressing down firmly to mash garlic into juices; skim off fat. Add enough of the remaining broth to make ¾ cup (175 mL).
  6. In a small saucepan, stir together 2 tbsp (25 mL) of pan juices and flour; cook, stirring, over medium heat for 1 minute. Gradually whisk in remaining pan juices; cook, stirring, until boiling and thickened. Serve with chicken.