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roasted whole chicken the ultimate guide to perfect results
- Total Time: 100 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Diet: General
Description
This recipe delivers a beautifully roasted chicken with incredibly juicy meat and crispy skin, infused with a flavorful blend of fresh herbs and a garlic lemon butter drizzle. It’s a classic comfort food elevated to a new level of taste.
Ingredients
- 1.8 kg (4 lb) whole chicken
- 100 g (7 Tbsp) unsalted butter, softened
- 6 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tsp (5 g) lemon zest
- 2 Tbsp (30 ml) lemon juice
- 2 Tbsp (8 g) rosemary, chopped
- 2 Tbsp (5 g) thyme, chopped
- 2 Tbsp (5 g) parsley, chopped (plus extra for garnish)
- 2 Tbsp (30 ml) olive oil
- 1 Tbsp (15 g) kosher salt
- 1 tsp (5 g) black pepper
- 1 tsp (2 g) smoked paprika (optional)
- Additional lemon zest and parsley for garnish
Optional (plan-ahead): If you’re shopping for the week, I put this into a 4-Week Meal Plan + Grocery Lists so dinner’s already decided before your day gets busy.
Instructions
- Prepare Herb Butter: Combine butter, garlic, lemon zest, juice, rosemary, thyme, parsley, salt, and pepper.
- Loosen Skin: Gently separate chicken skin from meat.
- Apply Herb Butter: Spread butter under skin and over the surface.
- Season Cavity: Season inside with salt and pepper.
- Prepare for Roasting: Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with paprika.
- Roast Chicken: Roast breast-side up for 1 hour 20-30 minutes.
- Baste Regularly: Baste with pan juices every 20 minutes.
- Check Doneness: Ensure internal temperature reaches 74°C (165°F).
- Rest Chicken: Let rest for 15 minutes before carving.
- Prepare Drizzle: Melt remaining butter and mix with pan juices.
- Carve and Serve: Carve, drizzle with butter, and garnish.
Notes
For extra crispy skin, ensure the chicken skin is thoroughly dry before applying the herb butter. Basting frequently is key to a moist bird.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 80 minutes
- Category: Poultry
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 5 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 150 mg