Roasted Paprika, Lemon, and Pepper Chicken

The aroma of homemade roasted chicken and the flavors, so crispy on the outside, and moist and juicy on the inside. I decided to roast two chickens...since I found the most beautiful organic young chickens in my local supermarket. They are about 5 lbs each. I have a generous and large roasting pan with a removable rack, so the chickens could easily be removed when they are done. I also added a few whole, peeled carrots, split a whole, peeled onion and stuffed it in the cavity of each chicken, along with half of 1 lemon for each chicken, and another whole lemon zest, and juice on top of chickens.

ROASTED PAPRIKA, LEMON, and PEPPER CHICKEN recipe by: Elisabeth

2 roasting chickens (4 1/2-5 lbs.each) 1 tsp. coarse salt 1 tsp. black pepper 1 Tbsp. Hungarian paprika 1 tsp. dry thyme 1 medium onion peeled, and cut in half zest of 1 whole lemon, and juice of the same lemon 2 Tbsps. vegetable oil 1/2 cup chicken broth 1 extra lemon cut in half stalks of 3 or 4 carrots (optional) 1 whole sweet, or hot pepper (optional)   Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Set rack in pan; pour the chicken broth on the bottom of the roasting pan. Remove giblets and neck from inside chicken. Rinse chicken under running cold water and drain well, and pat dry. Tuck wings under. Place chickens breast- side up on rack, in the roasting pan; rub with the vegetable oil on both. With dry hands sprinkle with the spice mixture, and the lemon zest. Stuff the cavities with half of onion, and half of the extra lemon. Cover pan with the cover, or heavy duty aluminum foil. Roast for 25 minutes covered, and reduce heat to 350 degrees. Uncover the roasting pan, and continue to roast for and additional 1 1/2 hours or until juices run clear, when pricked with a fork in the thigh area. Let rest for 5 minutes before carving. Pour pan juices into a bowl, and save to serve as sauce for the chicken. Serve with baked, roasted, or mashed potatoes, with side of your favorite vegetables. You can use the same method for 1 whole chicken...just cut down on the amount of spices. Leftover chicken is great for making chicken salad, great for slices of chicken breasts cold...for sandwiches; it can also be reheated for leftovers...or, as I did (give one to family, or friend; which I did)

Thank you for all your kind comments; sorry for not keeping up with commenting back to some of you dear friends; I've had quite a rough week...it's 'breast cancer awareness month'...my dear departed mom's birthday a couple days ago... (lost her to the same disease decades ago)...also been losing sleep since last week, my remaining kitty Mush is still mourning the loss of her companion Prince, and it's been over 1 year now; she is just not so happy these days, always meowing in the middle of the night, pacing up-and-down few times... looking for Prince! I need to get answers for the way she is acting...I know one of us will need 'therapy'...and some much needed sleep! Hugs,