Few dishes evoke the comforting aroma and satisfaction as a classic roasted chicken. Whether you’re a novice cook or a seasoned pro, mastering the art of a perfect roast chicken is a culinary skill worth having in your repertoire! This recipe is super easy and will give you a fantastic roast chicken with crispy skin that’s juicy on the inside every single time.
PinWhy Master the Art of Roast Chicken?
1. Effortless Excellence: Roast chicken offers gourmet flavors without the gourmet fuss. It’s a simple recipe that delivers mouthwatering results.
2. Versatility Galore: From fresh-out-of-the-oven goodness to leftovers you’ll love, roast chicken is a versatile superstar in the kitchen.
3. Comfort Food Love: It’s the kind of comfort food that wraps you in a warm, delicious hug.
4. Impressive Entertaining: Hosting guests? Roast chicken is your secret weapon for an impressive yet easy-to-make meal.
5. Healthy and Tasty: It’s not just delicious; roast chicken can be a healthy choice packed with protein and flavor.
PinThe Ingredients
- Whole chicken
- Olive oil
- Kosher salt
- Thyme, rosemary or fresh herb of choice
- Lemon
- Garlic
PinHow to Make a Perfect Roast Chicken
- Prep the chicken: Wash the chicken and pat dry, removing as much excess liquid as possible. Rub chicken all over with olive oil, season inside and out with salt.
- Add aromatics: Place chicken in a 9-inch skillet with an oven-proof handle, cast iron skillet or sheet tray lined with foil. Heat oven to 450°F. Stuff chicken with herbs, lemon and garlic and tie legs together.
- Bake at high heat: Place chicken in oven and bake for 15-20 minutes.
- Finish at lower temperature: Lower temperature to 350°F and continue to bake for 45-50 minutes or until internal temp reads 160°F.
- Serve: Remove from oven and allow chicken to cool for 10 minutes and serve.
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PinPro Tips for Roast Chicken Success
- Pick the Perfect Bird: Start your chicken adventure with a fresh, quality chicken. Organic is great if you can swing it, and aim for a bird around 3-4 pounds for even cooking.
- Season Like a Pro: Don’t be shy with the seasoning! Give your chicken a good rub-down with a mixture of salt, pepper, and your favorite herbs and spices. Toss some garlic and lemon inside the cavity for a flavor explosion.
- To Truss or Not to Truss: Trussing (tying the legs together) can help your bird cook evenly, but it’s not a must. It’s your call whether you go for that rustic, untrussed look.
- Crispy Skin Magic: Crispy skin is the holy grail of roast chicken. Begin by roasting at a high temperature (around 425°F), then lower the heat to finish cooking.
- Meet the Meat Thermometer: Invest in a meat thermometer – it’s your roast chicken’s best friend. Wait until the thickest part of the thigh hits 160°F for poultry perfection. The bird will continue to cook after removing from the oven.
PinRecipes for Leftover Roast Chicken
My favorite thing to do with roast chicken is to make double for meal prep and have the leftovers to use throughout the week in other recipes! Here are some great ones for leftover roast chicken:
- Chicken Pesto Wraps
- Mu Shu Chicken
- Chicken Pot Pie
- Chicken Mozzarella Pasta
- Chicken Fajita Quesadilla
Side Dishes to Serve Alongside
PinSo, if you’re looking for a meal that’s equal parts delicious and delightful and makes great leftovers, roast chicken is your answer! Let me know if you have any questions in the comments and tag me on social media if you make one!
Images by Ivan Solis
Perfect Roast Chicken
Ingredients
- 1 4 pound whole chicken
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 teaspoons kosher salt
- 3-4 sprigs thyme, rosemary or fresh herb of choice
- 1 lemon, cut in half
- 4-5 cloves garlic, peeled and smashed (or one head of garlic cut in half)
Instructions
- Wash the chicken and pat dry, removing as much excess liquid as possible.
- Rub chicken all over with olive oil, season inside and out with salt.
- Place chicken in a 9-inch skillet with an oven-proof handle or cast iron skillet or sheet tray lined with foil.
- Heat oven to 450°F.
- Stuff chicken with herbs, lemon and garlic and tie legs together.
- Place chicken in oven and bake for 15 minutes. Lower temperature to 350°F and continue to bake for 45-50 minutes or until internal temp reads 160°F.
- Remove from oven and allow chicken to cool for 10 minutes and serve.
Great roast chicken! The salt was the key, brining it to give it moisture. I will definitely make this again and use the flavorful pan jus to make gravy!
Great roast chicken! The salt was the key. I loved the crisp skin – yum! No smoke in my kitchen either. Will make again and will use the pan jus for gravy!
I also had a problem with the chicken smoking up my entire house. It tasted great, but I don’t think my family can handle the mass quantities of smoke and watering eyes that it caused! Did anyone ever figure out a solution to this problem, as it sounds like a few others have had it, too? Do you think it would it help to vent the oven like I do when I use the broiler?
Made this tonight, and after reading the reviews, I was totally prepared to have my kitchen smoked out – but lucky for me, it never did! I didn’t use thyme or lemon (not a favourite in our house) so I just melted butter and poured it over the top, salt and pepper and threw a few garlic cloves inside the chicken. Turned out great. I made a nice pan gravy with the juices and little bits that were leftover from roasting. Thanks for another great recipe!