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A whole roasted chicken, golden brown with crispy skin, presented on a platter.

Proven way to grow the perfect Roasted Chicken

This recipe guides you through the process of roasting a whole chicken to perfection, resulting in a juicy and flavorful main dish with crispy skin. Ideal for a comforting family meal or a special occasion.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 45 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Calories: 450
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 1 (3-4 lb) whole chicken
  • 1 tbsp salt
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 lemon halved
  • 4 garlic cloves smashed
  • 3 fresh rosemary sprigs
  • 3 fresh thyme sprigs

Equipment

  • Roasting pan
  • Meat thermometer

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and remove the chicken from its packaging, patting it dry with paper towels.
  2. Season the chicken generously inside and out with salt and black pepper, then rub it with olive oil.
  3. Stuff the chicken's cavity with the halved lemon, smashed garlic cloves, rosemary, and thyme sprigs.
Roasting
  1. Place the chicken in a roasting pan and roast for 60-90 minutes, or until a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh reads 165°F (74°C).
  2. Allow the chicken to rest for 10-15 minutes before carving to ensure the juices redistribute throughout the meat.
Serving
  1. Carve the chicken and serve it immediately with your favorite side dishes.

Notes

For extra crispy skin, try basting the chicken every 20-30 minutes with its own pan juices during roasting. You can also add root vegetables like carrots and potatoes to the roasting pan for a complete meal.