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1. Prepare the Chicken
– Preheat the Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 200°C (400°F). This ensures the oven is hot enough to create a crispy skin.
– Clean the Chicken: Rinse the whole chicken under cold running water and pat it dry thoroughly with paper towels. Dry skin helps achieve that desirable crispy texture.
– Season the Chicken: Rub the entire chicken with 2 tablespoons of olive oil, making sure to coat all surfaces. Season generously with salt and pepper, including the cavity.
– Stuff the Cavity: Place the smashed garlic cloves, orange slices, and thyme inside the cavity of the chicken. This will infuse the meat with aromatic flavors from the inside out.
– Tie the Legs (Optional): For even cooking and a neat appearance, you can tie the chicken legs together with kitchen twine.
2. Make the Orange Glaze
– Combine Ingredients: In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the following:
– ½ cup fresh orange juice
– ¼ cup honey
– 2 tablespoons soy sauce
– 2 tablespoons butter
– 1 teaspoon grated orange zest
– ¼ teaspoon ground ginger (if using)
– Heat the Glaze: Stir the mixture continuously until the butter has melted and all ingredients are well combined.
– Simmer: Allow the glaze to simmer for 3–5 minutes, stirring occasionally. This helps to thicken the glaze slightly and meld the flavors together.
– Set Aside: Remove the saucepan from heat and set the glaze aside.
