Description
Classic whole roasted chicken emerges as a comforting centerpiece for family dinners. Herbs, garlic, and lemon infuse succulent meat with Mediterranean flavors, creating a simple yet elegant meal you’ll crave repeatedly.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 whole chicken (4–5 lbs / 1.8–2.2 kg)
- 1.5 tsps salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 2 tbsps olive oil
- 2 tbsps butter, softened
- 1 lemon, halved
- 4 cloves garlic, smashed
- 1 small onion, quartered
- 3–4 sprigs fresh rosemary or thyme
Instructions
- Preparation: Remove giblets from chicken cavity and thoroughly pat dry using paper towels to ensure optimal skin crispness.
- Seasoning: Massage chicken exterior with olive oil, then generously coat with kosher salt, black pepper, thyme, and rosemary, covering every surface meticulously.
- Flavor Infusion: Strategically stuff chicken cavity with whole garlic cloves and lemon wedges to enhance internal aromatic complexity.
- Oven Positioning: Arrange chicken breast-side up in a cast-iron skillet or roasting pan, allowing maximum heat circulation and even cooking.
- Temperature Setup: Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C), creating an ideal environment for achieving golden, crackling skin and succulent meat interior.
- Roasting Process: Place chicken in oven center and roast until internal temperature reaches 165°F, skin turns deep golden brown, and juices run clear when pierced.
- Resting Phase: Remove chicken from oven and let rest for 10-15 minutes, allowing internal juices to redistribute and ensuring maximum tenderness before carving.
Notes
- Blot for Crispiness: Pat the chicken skin completely dry with paper towels to guarantee a perfectly crisp and golden-brown exterior during roasting.
- Strategic Seasoning: Massage the chicken skin with olive oil and distribute herbs and salt thoroughly, ensuring every nook and cranny receives flavor for maximum taste penetration.
- Temperature Precision: Maintain a consistent 425°F oven temperature to create an ideal roasting environment that locks in moisture while developing a beautiful crispy skin.
- Cavity Enhancement: Stuff whole garlic cloves and lemon wedges inside the chicken to naturally infuse subtle, aromatic flavors throughout the meat during cooking.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 0 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 0 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg