Ingredients

  • 1 whole chicken, spatchcocked
  • 2 garlic cloves, smashed
  • 1 onion, sliced
  • 2 lemons, sliced
  • 1 tablespoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon oregano
  • 1 tablespoon turmeric
  • 2 teaspoons sumac
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon ras el hanout (more if you like it spicy)
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 teaspoons fresh thyme
  • 4 tablespoons cooked chicken juices
  • 2 garlic cloves from the roasting pan, chopped
  • 4 slices cooked lemons from the roasting pan
  • 1 bunch fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1 handful fresh mint, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons honey

Directions

  • For the chicken Have the butcher spatchcock the whole chicken, or do it yourself by cutting out the backbone, then flattening the chicken until you hear the breastbone pop. A whole chicken cooks much faster this way!
  • Combine salt, oregano, turmeric, sumac, paprika, ras el hanout, black pepper and fresh thyme.
  • Rub spice blend into chicken thoroughly, including under the skin.
  • In a large baking dish, place the smashed garlic cloves, sliced onions, and the sliced lemons on the bottom. Place the chicken on top of the lemons.
  • Bake at 350° F for approximately 1 hour, or until the internal temperature reaches 160-165° F. Check at the 20 minute mark and tent with foil if the skin is already browned.
  • When the chicken is done, remove from the oven to rest and make the board sauce. Board sauce is made on a cutting board with the juices from cooking and other ingredients. The juices from the cooked chicken or meat combine with the other ingredients to make a fantastic sauce.
  • For the board sauce On a cutting board with channels (less messy), chop the cooked lemons and garlic from the chicken dish. Mix with the parsley and mint. Remove 4 tablespoons of juices from the bottom of the cooked chicken dish and combine them with the honey. Add salt and pepper to taste, then add to the lemon-herb mixture, and place the chicken on top to complete resting.
  • After 15 minutes of resting, carve chicken and serve with the board sauce.

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