A classic roast chicken is the epitome of home-cooked comfort food. Golden, crispy skin with juicy, tender meat beneath – it’s a dish that never fails to satisfy. Perfect for a family dinner, a special occasion, or even a simple weeknight meal, roast chicken is versatile, delicious, and incredibly easy to prepare.
The secret to a perfectly roasted chicken lies in the seasoning and cooking method. Start with a whole chicken, preferably one that’s free-range or organic for the best flavor. First, remove any giblets from the cavity and pat the chicken dry with paper towels. This is key to getting that crispy, golden skin. Next, season the bird generously inside and out with salt and pepper. You can add garlic, rosemary, thyme, or lemon to the cavity for extra flavor. For an aromatic touch, a couple of crushed garlic cloves and a halved lemon make a great combination.
The outside of the chicken is just as important. Rub the skin with olive oil or softened butter to ensure that it crisps up beautifully while roasting. You can also sprinkle the chicken with additional herbs, like thyme or rosemary, and even a bit of paprika for a subtle smokiness.
Place the chicken on a rack in a roasting pan, breast side up. The rack allows the heat to circulate around the bird, ensuring even cooking. Roast the chicken in a preheated oven at a high temperature, about 425°F (220°C), for the first 15-20 minutes to get that nice initial browning. After that, reduce the temperature to around 375°F (190°C) and roast for another 1-1.5 hours, depending on the size of the chicken. The general rule is about 20 minutes of cooking time per pound.
To check if the chicken is done, insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the thigh -the internal temperature should reach 165°F (75°C). If the juices run clear when pierced, it’s ready.
Once out of the oven, let the chicken rest for 10-15 minutes before carving. This allows the juices to settle, ensuring each slice is juicy and flavorful. Serve with roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, or a fresh salad for a wholesome, satisfying meal.
A classic roast chicken is always a winner – simple to make, packed with flavor, and perfect for any occasion. Its comforting aroma and melt-in-your-mouth tenderness are the reasons why it’s a go-to favorite in kitchens around the world.
Ingredients
- 1 whole chicken preferably 3 to 4 pounds
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt
- 1/2 tablespoon black pepper freshly ground
- 1 bunch fresh herbs such as thyme, rosemary, or parsley
- 3 cloves garlic smashed
- 1 unit lemon halved
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Rinse the chicken inside and out, then pat it dry with paper towels.
- Rub the olive oil all over the chicken, and season generously with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- Stuff the cavity with the fresh herbs, smashed garlic cloves, and lemon halves.
- Place the chicken on a roasting pan or baking dish, breast side up.
- Roast in the preheated oven for 1 hour and 30 minutes, or until the juices run clear when you cut between a leg and thigh.
- Remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for 10-15 minutes before carving.
Nutrition
This is the best roast chicken recipe I’ve ever tried! It was so juicy and flavorful. Highly recommend!
Easy recipe, I’ll try it later! Looks tasty and I love lemon with chicken. Yum!
Looks good, but I’m not sure if it will be that easy. Seems like a lot of steps for just roast chicken.
This sounds delicious! I love lemon chicken too. Can’t wait to make it!
Why do people obsess over roast chicken? It’s just a chicken. Still, it was okay, I guess.
I followed the recipe but my chicken ended up dry. Not sure what I did wrong.
Maybe you cooked it too long? Try checking the internal temp next time.
I think the type of chicken matters. Sometimes, they sell super lean ones. Just a thought!
Do you really need to use all those herbs? I just put some salt and pepper and it was fine.
So simple! I cooked it for Sunday dinner, everyone loved it! Plus, the herbs made my kitchen smell so good!
This roast chicken turned out amazing! Juicy and full of flavor, I’ll definitely make it again.