Perfect Roast Chicken

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.

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Why 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.

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The Ingredients

• Whole chicken
• Olive oil
• Kosher salt
• Thyme, rosemary or fresh herb of choice
• Lemon
• Garlic

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How to Make a Perfect Roast Chicken

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Bake at high heat: Place chicken in oven and bake for 15-20 minutes.
4. Finish at lower temperature: Lower temperature to 350°F and continue to bake for 45-50 minutes or until internal temp reads 160°F.
5. Serve: Remove from oven and allow chicken to cool for 10 minutes and serve.

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Pro Tips for Roast Chicken Success

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.

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Recipes 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

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So, 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

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Perfect Roast Chicken

This roast chicken is super easy to make and will give you a fantastic crispy chicken that’s juicy on the inside every single time.

No ratings yetSave RecipeSaved Recipe!Rate RecipePrint RecipeCourse: DinnerServings: 4Author: Catherine McCordPrep Time 10 minutes minutesCook Time 1 hour hourTotal Time 1 hour hour 10 minutes minutes

Ingredients  1x2x3x

• ▢ 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.

Notes

Brine if you have time: If you have time, you can brine the bird for extra juiciness. In step 1, cover the bird (inside and out) with salt then refrigerate, uncovered, for 3-24 hours.Convection Oven: Use the convection setting on your oven if you have one, reducing the cooking time in step 7 to 25 minutes.Skillet: If you don’t have a skillet with an oven-proof handle, use a baking dish just larger than your chicken. 

Nutrition

Calories: 660kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 52g | Fat: 48g | Cholesterol: 220mg | Sodium: 990mg | Fiber: 1g Did you make this recipe?Mention @Weelicious or tag #weelicious!