Cheer up a (whole) chicken

[KMUN]

without resorting to ready-made stuff. What are people's favourite 'slam-in/minimal fuss' roast chicken methods.

FWIW - mine is 1 chicken, 1 lemon (halved, squeezed over skin and shoved up the cavity), salt, pepper and whatever green herbs are around sprinkled (thyme, basil, whatever), drizzle with oil and slam. Then it's good hot or cold.

Dead nice, but interested in other ideas.

ok, half an apple , onion, lemon and a head of garlic in the cavity

rub skin with olive oil, sprinkle with rock salt and paprika

if feeling energetic, make a pocket between the breast meat and skin and put some slices of butter and some herbs in there, usually tarragon

stcik in roasting tin with a splash of water and white wine

baste every 30 mins

it sounds a bit faffy, but it isn;t and stays really moist

i also find buying a free range happy chicken is definitely the way to go, tastes so much better

I do the italian way - yes lemon/onion/garlic but then put in a casserole and pour in wate to about 1-2 inches round it. When done the water/juices make the best gravy and it stays really moist.

what i do to my whole chickens is salt pepper and some paprika all over the skin,simple but so tasty and have had loads of compliments from family