See Also: Lemon, pancetta and rosemary chicken(recipes)
Roasted Rosemary-Lemon Chicken(recipes)
Lemon-Rosemary Roasted Chicken(recipes)
Preserved lemon roast chicken with sweet potato and rosemary mash(recipes)
Stuffed Chicken Breast Wrapped in Pancetta(recipes)
Rosemary-Lemon Pork Kabobs(recipes)
Sea bass roasted with rosemary and lemon(recipes)
Roast pheasant with lemon and rosemary(recipes)
Organic new season lamb with rosemary, lemon and zucchero rosato(recipes)
Pancetta and tarragon chicken with sugar-roasted tomato and aniseed cream sauce(recipes)

Lemon, pancetta and rosemary chicken (recipes)






Serves 8-10



Preparation time

less than 30 mins



Cooking time

over 2 hours

















Ingredients



2kg/4lb 6oz oven-ready chicken, thawed if frozen, giblets removed1 small bunch fresh rosemary1 small bunch fresh thyme 2 lemons, finely zested 80g/3oz pancetta, chopped150g/5¼oz mascarponesalt and freshly ground black pepper2 onions, thickly slicedFor the gravy1 tbsp flour 100ml/3½fl oz white wine 600ml/1pt chicken stock To servestuffing balls wrapped in bacon



Method



1. Preheat the oven to 200C/400F/Gas 6.2. Wash the chicken and pat dry. 3. Strip the leaves from half the rosemary and thyme stalks and finely chop.4. In a bowl, combine the lemon zest, chopped rosemary and thyme, pancetta and mascarpone. Season to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper.5. Halve the zested lemons and stuff into the chicken' s cavity, along with the remaining herb sprigs. 6. Use your hand to loosen the skin lying over the breast of the chicken, to create a pocket. Push the mascarpone mixture under the breast skin to create a thick, even layer.7. Put the onion slices into a large, flameproof roasting tin. Place the chicken on top and cover loosely with foil.8. Cook for 1½-2 hours, basting every 30 minutes, until the juices of the bird run clear when the thigh is pierced with a skewer. If necessary, uncover for the last 30 minutes to brown the bird.9. When cooked, take the chicken from the oven, remove from the roasting tin and leave to rest on a platter, covered loosely with foil, for 30 minutes.10. To make the gravy, pour away any excess fat from the roasting tin and discard the onion slices. 11. Set in the roasting tin over a medium heat, then sprinkle over the flour. Stir through and cook for two minutes. 12. Slowly whisk in the wine and stock. 13. Bring to the boil, scraping the bits from the bottom of the roasting tin, then simmer over a low heat for 15 minutes.14. Serve the gravy with the chicken and stuffing balls wrapped in bacon.