Simple roast chicken

• 1.8-2kg/4lb-4lb 8oz chicken
• garlic cloves↗2

  bashed

• bay leaves↗2
• 50g/ 5oz butter

  softened

• juice 1 lemon

Step-by-step instructions

1. 1

   Heat oven to 220C/200C fan/gas 7. Put the chicken in a large roasting tin, then stuff the garlic and bay leaves into the cavity. Rub the outside of the chicken with butter, then squeeze over the lemon juice and add the lemon halves to the inside of the chicken. Season inside and out, then cook the chicken for 20 mins.

2. 2

   Turn the oven down to 190C/170C fan/gas 5 and cook for a further 45 mins or until the chicken juices run clear when you pierce the thigh with a knife. Leave to rest for 15 mins before carving.