Roast Chicken Recipe

This roast chicken is so flavorful and juicy you’ll never believe how easy it is to make. It’s seasoned generously and stuffed with lemon, garlic, and herbs for delicious flavor inside and out. Outside, there is more seasoning and a coat of flavored butter.

A roasted chicken with golden, crispy skin and juicy, tender meat makes the perfect meal for any occasion. It’s a classic Sunday dinner perfectly paired with sides of fluffy mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, and homemade potato dinner rolls.

If roasting a whole chicken seems a little scary to you, don’t be afraid! It’s very easy to make and doesn’t require much effort beyond preparing the chicken. The meat comes out so tender and juicy, you’ll want to have more and more. And if you have any leftovers, make some chicken noodle soup, casseroles, or chicken salad.

Tips For Juicy Oven Roasted Chicken

A common problem for many people is knowing the proper way to cook a whole chicken in the oven. 

Although the technique is simple, there are some important steps in the process. Missing even one can result in dry chicken.

1. Bring the meat to room temperature before cooking. 

Cooking any type of meat while it’s cold will result in uneven cooking, which could be undercooking, overcooking, or both at the same time. This is because the outside of the meat will cook more quickly than the inside.

For the best results, remove the meat from the fridge and leave it at room temperature for 45-60 minutes before roasting.

According to USDA food safety guidelines, as long as the temperature of the room is below 85°F and the chicken doesn’t stay out for longer than 2 hours, it is perfectly safe to use.

2. Use a large roasting pan with high sides when possible.

In order for the meat to cook evenly, heat needs to circulate all the way around it. So, you have to use a pan that is large enough to fit the chicken. Also, a pan with high sides ensures that the heat stays closer to the roasting chicken. 

3. Cook according to internal temperature, not by time.

There are many factors that can effect the cook time of the chicken, like size of the chicken and oven temperature. So it’s very important not to roast chicken by time alone. Use a digital instant-read cooking thermometer to determine when it’s done. Chicken is safe to eat when the internal temperature of the thickest part of the breast or thigh reaches 165°F. 

4. Allow the meat to rest before carving.

After removing chicken from the oven, it’s important to allow the juices to redistribute back into the meat. Otherwise, when you slice into the meat, the juices will end up on your cutting board. 

To keep the meat warm while it rests, tent it with a piece of aluminum foil.

5. Preheat the oven.

This is another common mistake. The oven needs to be hot enough to start the roasting process. So make sure to preheat your oven to 425°F before placing the meat inside.

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ROASTING AND BAKING

While both of these methods involve cooking with dry heat in an oven, the primary difference is the cooking temperature.

Baking temperatures are at or below 375°F, while roasting requires high heat cooking of at least 400°F. Higher temperature is necessary to brown the food, and to create crispy skin.

How To Make Roast Chicken

1. Preheat oven and prepare roasting pan.

TIP: For easier cleanup, line your roasting pan with a sheet of aluminum foil.

2. Prepare the chicken for roasting:

• Clean it. Take the chicken out of the package and use paper towels to dry it off. Be sure to check the cavity for giblets and neck. You can discard them, or use them to make chicken stock.

• Apply seasoning:

To infuse more flavor, remember to season well inside the cavity.

Use your fingers to apply salt and pepper all over the inside of the cavity. Don’t be afraid, give it a good amount of seasoning.

Then, insert half a lemon, quarter of an onion, garlic bulb, sage, and thyme into the cavity. Next, use cotton twine to tie the legs together.

In a small bowl, combine melted butter and pressed garlic cloves. Brush the entire outside surface with garlic butter, then generously season the outside with salt and pepper.

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3. Bake:

Place the chicken into the prepared roasting pan and then transfer it to the oven.

Bake chicken for 80 to 90 minutes, or until the juices run clear and the temperature in the center of the breast at the thickest part reaches 165°F.

NOTE: Due to carryover cooking, chicken continues to cook for another 2 to 3 degrees after you remove it from the oven.

4. Allow it to rest.

Take the chicken out of the oven and transfer it to a carving board. Tent it loosely with a sheet of foil and let it rest for 10-15 minutes.

It’s important to let meats rest after cooking so that the juices that have condensed during the cooking process have a chance to redistribute back throughout the meat.

Can I Add Vegetables?

When you make the roast chicken recipe, you can add vegetables right into the roasting pan with the bird. Depending on the vegetables, you can add them half way through or during the last 20-30 minutes of cooking.

• For potatoes: Cut them in half or quarters, and add them half way through the cooking time. If you plan to combine them with other vegetables, cut the potatoes into smaller pieces to ensure that they cook through.

• For carrots, onion, and celery: Cut them into pieces, and try to make them as equal in size as possible. Add during the last 20-30 minutes of cooking time. Thicker carrots will take a little longer to cook than thinner ones.

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