-
1
Preheat the oven to 475F.
-
2
In a small pot over medium-low heat, melt together the butter and olive oil.
-
3
Rinse the chicken well and pat dry with paper towels.
-
4
Season the cavity with salt and pepper and stuff with the fresh herbs and garlic cloves.
-
5
Arrange the diced vegetables in an even layer on the bottom of a roasting pan just big enough to accommodate the chicken (13 by 9 by 2 inches).
-
6
Place the chicken breast-side up on top of the vegetables and brush with the butter mixture.
-
7
Sprinkle on all sides with salt and pepper and herbes de Provence.
-
8
Roast 15 minutes, then turn the chicken on its side, brush with the butter mixture, and roast 10 minutes.
-
9
Turn, brush, and roast on the other side, about 8 minutes.
-
10
Reduce the oven to 400F.
-
11
Turn the chicken breast-side up and roast 18 to 20 minutes more, basting 2 or 3 times with pan juices and butter; the juices should run clear when the chicken is pierced at the junction of the leg and thigh.
-
12
Remove from the pan and let rest 5 minutes before carving.
-
13
For the pan sauce:
-
14
Spoon or pour off the grease from the roasting pan.
-
15
Place the pan over high heat, add the stock, and cook, scraping up the cooked-on bits from the bottom of the pan.
-
16
Bring to a boil and reduce to one third of its original volume.
-
17
Whisk in the butter.
-
18
Season to taste and stir in the optional herbs.
-
19
To serve, carve the chicken and serve with the pan sauce.
-
20
Variations:
-
21
Use fresh rosemary, thyme, sage, oregano, or any other herbs you prefer.
-
22
If desired, strip the leaves from a sprig of rosemary and sprinkle over the chicken before roasting.