Quick Pesto Roasted Chicken

This is a quick and flavorful roasted chicken to prepare for any meal. Prepared pesto makes it easy and tasty.

Cook Time: 1 hour, 30 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour, 30 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 broiler or roasting chicken, about 4 to 5 pounds
• 1/4 cup prepared pesto
• fresh basil leaves or 1 teaspoon dried leaf basil and cut up lemon and/or orange, for cavity, optional
• salt and pepper

Preparation:

Heat oven to 425°.

Wash chicken and pat dry. With your fingers, separate the skin from the meat around the breast and legs. Push small amounts of pesto under the skin, using about 1/4 cup. Rub a little pesto over the skin and sprinkle lightly with salt and pepper. If desired, fill the cavity with cut-up lemon and orange, along with fresh basil leaves or about 1 teaspoon of dried basil.

Roast for 15 minutes, then reduce heat to 350°. Continue roasting for about 18 to 20 minutes per pound, or to about 165° on a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest meaty part of the thigh.