Preheat the oven to 200C (400F).
Using kitchen scissors, cut along the backbone of the chicken, then press firmly on the breastbone to flatten it.
Place the chicken in a baking dish lined with non-stick baking paper. Add the lemon, thyme and garlic. Brush with oil, then sprinkle with salt and pepper.
Bake for 35-45 minutes or until cooked through.
Recipe extracted from simple essentials chicken by Donna Hay RRP $24.95, published by HarperCollins.
