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1
Preheat the oven to 400F.
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2
Rub the chicken inside and out with 1 garlic half.
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3
Place both garlic halves and the tarragon sprigs in the cavity.
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4
Stir together the butter, shallot, chopped tarragon, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper.
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5
Loosen the skin near the cavity with your hands; spread the butter mixture under the skin all over the flesh.
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6
Squeeze juice from the lemon halves over the chicken; place in cavity.
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7
Season the bird with 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper.
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8
Halve the large onions horizontally at an angle.
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9
Arrange in the middle of a 9 x 13-inch roasting pan to form a square.
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10
Position halves so the slanted ends of each pair face each other, inward, and almost touch.
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11
Place the chicken, breast side up, on the onion rack.
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12
Quarter the small onions; arrange with the carrots, celery, and potatoes around bird.
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13
Tuck the lemon slices between the wings and breast and the legs and breast.
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14
Pour the wine and stock over the vegetables.
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15
Roast the chicken and vegetables, basting 2 or 3 times with the pan juices, until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of chicken thigh registers 165F and juices run clear, 1 to 1 1/2 hours.
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16
Remove the pan from the oven, and let the chicken stand 10 minutes.
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17
Carve the chicken.
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18
Arrange the chicken and roasted vegetables (including rack onions) on a platter.
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19
Spoon the pan juices over the meat.