Ingredients

• Olive or vegetable oil cooking spray
• 3 tablespoons finely chopped fresh rosemary, plus sprigs for garnish
• 8 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 roasting chicken (6-7 pounds)
• Kitchen twine
• 1 lemon, sliced (optional)

Instructions

1. Heat oven to 400°F. Lightly coat a roasting pan and rack with cooking spray. Combine rosemary, garlic and salt in a bowl. Remove giblets and neck from chicken and trim off all visible fat. Starting at the neck cavity, gently loosen skin from breasts and drumsticks; spread rosemary mixture evenly under skin. Tuck wing tips under back of chicken; tie ends of drumsticks together with twine. Season with additional salt and black pepper to taste; place breast side up in pan. Roast, basting twice with pan juices, until a meat thermometer inserted into thickest part of thigh (and not touching bone) reads 175°F, about 1 3/4 hours. Let stand 10 minutes before carving. Garnish with rosemary sprigs and lemon slices, if desired, and serve.