Savory Bacon-Infused Roast Chicken Delight

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons of dried thyme
• 2 tablespoons of dried oregano
• A generous sprinkle of brown sugar
• 1 ½ tablespoons of ground cumin
• A pinch of salt
• 1 tablespoon of ground paprika
• 2 teaspoons of ground black pepper
• Finely minced clove of garlic
• 3 tablespoons of softened unsalted butter
• 1 whole chicken weighing 4 pounds, rinsed and gently patted dry
• 3 cloves of garlic, crushed
• 6 slices of thick-cut bacon

Step 1

To begin, preheat your oven to a toasty 425 degrees F (220 degrees C) for that perfect roast. In a bowl, combine a flavorful medley of thyme, oregano, brown sugar, cumin, salt, paprika, and black pepper. Take half of this aromatic blend and set it aside in another bowl. Now, it's time to get creative - mix in some minced garlic and softened butter to the spice blend in one of the bowls.

Step 2

Next, gently lift the skin of the chicken over the breast, back, and thighs. Spread the garlic-infused butter mixture generously under the loosened skin. Then, coat the exterior of the chicken with the remaining dry spice blend, making sure to sprinkle some inside the cavity. For an extra burst of flavor, stuff the cavity with crushed garlic cloves. Now, place your seasoned chicken on a roasting rack nestled in a roasting pan and artfully drape bacon strips in a basket-weave pattern over the top.

Step 3

Pop your masterpiece into the preheated oven and let it sizzle for 15 minutes. Then, adjust the oven temperature down to a cozy 400 degrees F (205 degrees C) and continue cooking for another 15 minutes. Lower the heat once more to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) and let your chicken roast until it's no longer pink at the bone and the juices run clear, which should take about 30 minutes. If the bacon starts to crisp up too quickly, simply cover the chicken with a sheet of aluminum foil during roasting. To ensure your chicken is cooked to perfection, an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh should read at least 165 degrees F (75 degrees C).

Step 4

Once your delectable creation is ready, remove it from the oven and allow it to rest in a warm spot for 10 minutes before slicing into it. The result? A mouthwatering roast chicken that's bursting with flavor and sure to impress your guests.