Slashed Chicken with Bacon Herb Butter

Steps

1. Put a 5-quart oval Dutch oven in a cold oven and preheat the oven to 450° F. After the oven has preheated, continue to heat the oven and pan for 20 more minutes.

2. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine the butter, raw bacon, chives, sage, thyme, zest, salt and pepper. Stir until well blended and set aside.

3. Rinse the chicken well and pull out gizzards, etc. from inside the cavity. Pat dry with paper towels. Using a sharp knife cut 6 three-inch long slashes (½-inch deep) along legs, breast and back. Rub herb butter all over the chicken with your hands, pushing the butter into the slashes. Push a sage leaf and a slice of garlic into each of the slashes. Season the chicken with salt and pepper.

4. Carefully place the chicken, breast side down, in the hot pan. Roast until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh, away from the bone, registers 165 to 170 degrees, about 60 to 75 minutes.

5. Transfer the chicken to a cutting board and cover loosely with aluminum foil; let rest for 15 to 20 minutes. Carve the chicken and arrange on a warmed platter.