Step 1

Pour about 1/3 of the water into a large pot (large enough for the brine and submerged chicken) with remaining Brine ingredients. Bring to boil boil 1 minute, stir to dissolve salt.

Step 2

Remove from heat, pour in remaining water. Cool completely before using (I cool about 30 min then refrigerate 1 1/2 hours). DO NOT put chicken in before full cool, this is a health hazard (Note 4).

Step 3

Flip chicken upside down (so legs and breast are on underside. Submerge chicken in brine, cover and refrigerate for 12 - 24 hours (Note 5). Don't worry if underside of chicken doesn't stay under water - the the breast side is, that is what matters.

Step 4

Remove chicken from brine and pat dry to remove excess moisture.

Step 5

Tie legs with string (if desired), tuck wings under. Drizzle/brush with most of the butter all over, including underside (butter will firm up on contact).

Step 6

Sprinkle with pepper and the TINIEST pinch of salt, place chicken on a rack in a heavy based roasting tray. Set aside for 20 minutes.

Step 7

Preheat fan forced oven to 220°C/430°F.

Step 8

Turn down the oven to 180°C/350°F, then roast chicken for 50 minutes to 1 hour (Note or until the internal temperature at the joint between the leg and thigh is 75°C/165°F, or until juices run clear.

Step 9

Check at 45 minutes, rotate the pan if not browning evenly, and brush top with remaining melted butter.

Step 10

Remove chicken from the roasting tray, cover loosely with foil and rest for 10 to 15 minutes.

Step 11

Chicken is so juicy, it needs little more than a tiny drizzle of the juices in the pan (go easy, it's salty). Otherwise, make a gravy while the chicken is resting - see Note 8.