Place the chicken into a large oven-proof dish or pot, leaving space all round. Peel and chop the onion(s) and chop the garlic. Add these to the pot, around the chicken. Add the bouquet garni, salt and freshly-ground pepper and then the water (which should come about half-way up the chicken).
Place uncovered in the middle of a preheated moderate oven Mk 4 - 350ºF - 180ºC for 2 hours. After cooking, the chicken is immediately ready to be eaten and the residual juices make an excellent stock.