The Best Roasted Chicken

The Best Roasted Chicken

6 servings
This Whole Roasted Chicken recipe is simple, comforting, and so delicious. All you need are a few ingredients and a little time to make perfectly juicy, tender, and flavorful roasted chicken every single time.

Ingredients

  • carrot

    halved lengthwise and cut into thirds

    1 large
  • stalk celery

    cut into large thirds

    1
  • 4 pound whole chicken

    giblets removed and patted dry

    1
  • unsalted butter

    melted

    ¼ c
  • garlic

    finely minced

    3 cloves
  • fresh thyme
    ½ tsp
  • grated lemon zest
    ½ tsp
  • olive oil
    3 tbsp
  • salt
  • freshly cracked black pepper
  • garlic

    top sliced off

    1 head
  • yellow onion

    cut into 2 large pieces

    ½
  • lemon

    cut in half

    1
  • fresh thyme
    4 sprigs

Directions

  1. 1

    Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

  2. 2

    To a small mixing bowl add the melted butter, garlic, lemon zest, 1/2 teaspoon fresh thyme, and a generous pinch of salt and freshly cracked pepper.

  3. 3

    Place the celery and carrots in a cast iron and skillet. Use a paper towel to pat the chicken dry and then place the chicken on top of the veggies, breast side up.

  4. 4

    Rub the melted butter mixture under the skin of the chicken as well as inside the cavity of the chicken, being sure to use all of the butter.

  5. 5

    Stuff the chicken cavity with the head of garlic, pieces of yellow onion, lemon, and fresh thyme. If you like, use a bit of kitchen twine to tie the drumsticks.

  6. 6

    Drizzle the olive oil over the skin of the chicken and then use a basting brush to ensure that the skin is well coated with oil. Liberally season the chicken with salt and fresh cracked black pepper.

  7. 7

    Place the chicken in the oven, on the middle rack, and roast for 1 hour and 15-30 minutes, basting every 30 minutes, or until the internal temperature, at the thickest part, reaches 165 degrees.

  8. 8

    Remove the chicken from the oven and let rest for 10-15 minutes in the skillet.

  9. 9

    Carve the chicken and serve with the pan drippings or reserve the pan drippings to make homemade chicken gravy.

The Best Roasted Chicken

The Best Roasted Chicken

85 min6 servings354 cal

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About this Recipe

Craving a perfectly tender, flavorful roasted chicken that brings everyone to the table? This recipe for The Best Roasted Chicken delivers on comfort and deliciousness with minimal fuss, transforming simple ingredients into a truly memorable meal.

The secret to this recipe's success lies in the classic combination of aromatic ingredients like fresh thyme, garlic, and bright lemon zest. These simple elements work together to infuse the chicken with incredible flavor, ensuring every bite is moist and utterly satisfying. The melted butter also plays a crucial role in creating a rich, golden-brown skin.

Imagine pulling apart beautifully roasted chicken, its skin a tempting golden brown and its meat falling off the bone, rich with the essence of herbs and citrus. You can expect a truly comforting dinner experience, where the natural savory goodness of the chicken shines through, complemented by the softened aromatics like roasted carrots, celery, and onion. Each serving, at 354 calories, offers a hearty and substantial centerpiece for your dinner.

While this recipe is perfect as is, you can easily adapt it to your pantry or preferences. Consider adding other root vegetables like quartered potatoes or parsnips to roast alongside, absorbing all those delicious pan drippings. No fresh thyme? A teaspoon of dried thyme or a sprig of fresh rosemary would also lend a lovely aroma. For an extra kick, you could add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the butter mixture.

This whole roasted chicken is ideal for a comforting family dinner or a relaxed weekend meal. Serve it simply with the roasted vegetables, or alongside your favorite mashed potatoes and a crisp green salad for a complete and satisfying spread.

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