Hands down, the best roast chicken I ever tasted!

1 whole chicken (about 4 to 5 pounds)
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 tablespoon chopped fresh herbs (such as rosemary, thyme, and parsley)
2 garlic cloves, minced
Zest of 1 lemon
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Optional: vegetables like carrots, onions, and potatoes for roasting