Goat Cheese Roasted Chicken

On Monday night my friend and I decided to make dinner at home for our guys.  Both of us love trying new recipes, and since neither of us had ever actually roasted a chicken before we figured why not give it a shot!

We decided on a recipe by "How Sweet It Is" for Goat Cheese Roasted Chicken, and not to toot my own horn, but it was literally the most delicious roasted chicken I have ever eaten!  It was perfectly moist and tender on the inside with a crisp golden exterior and the perfect layer of herbed goat cheese hiding under the skin.  We paired it with herbed basmati rice, lemon asparagus, and an ice cold bottle of Rose, and I have to say it was the perfect summer meal al fresco in her gorgeous back yard.

Recipe below...PS - Follow Dreams in HD on bloglovin' here!

Goat Cheese Roasted Chicken

Serves 4-6 

5 pound fresh chicken, giblets removed

8 ounces goat cheese, slightly softened to room temperature

1/2 teaspoon dried basil

1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

1/4 teaspoon garlic salt

1/2 lemon

1 bulb garlic, top cut off

3-4 tablespoons olive oil

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon pepper

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Pat chicken completely dry with paper towels.

In a bowl, combine goat cheese with herbs and garlic salt, mixing well until combined.

Rub the non-breast side of the chicken with 1-2 tablespoons of olive oil, then sprinkle with salt and pepper. Put that side down in a baking dish or roasting pan. 

Lift the skin of the chicken above the breast and stuff with goat cheese, pressing it into the thighs and as far back as possible. Rub the outside of the chicken with some goat cheese as well, using up the mixture. Rub with 1-2 tablespoons olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Stuff the garlic bulb, cloves-facing inward, in the top opening and the lemon, slice-side up, in the bottom opening. It's no biggie if they fall out while roasting!

Roast for 75 minutes, then remove and let rest for 30 minutes before cutting.  Enjoy!