Roast Chicken

Method

• step 1

  Preheat the oven to 220ËC. Bring a pot of salted water to the boil and add the chicken, breast-side down. Turn down the heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from the water and pat thoroughly dry.

• step 2

  Put the chicken in a roasting tin and rub with oil. Season generously, both inside and out, and add any flavourings you're using to the cavity. Tip a couple of millimetres of water or stock into the bottom of the tin, and put into the oven for 1 hour â 1 hour 15 minutes, or until the juices run clear.

• step 3

  10 minutes before the end of cooking, turn up the oven temperature to 250ËC to help crisp the skin. Keep an eye on it to prevent it burning.

• step 4

  Allow the chicken to rest for 15 minutes before carving.