Description
This oven-roasted whole chicken is infused with lemon, garlic, and herbs for juicy, flavorful meat and perfectly crispy skin. It’s a simple yet classic dish ideal for both family dinners and entertaining.
Ingredients
- 1 whole chicken (about 3 to 4 pounds / 1.3 to 1.8 kg)
- 4 teaspoons kosher salt or coarse sea salt
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 small head of garlic, sliced in half crosswise
- 1 small lemon (or half of a large one), pierced several times
- 1 small bunch of mixed fresh herbs (rosemary, thyme, tarragon, or lavender)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425 °F (220 °C) with a rack placed in the center.
- Remove the chicken from its packaging and pat it dry with paper towels.
- Place the chicken in a shallow roasting pan or quarter-sheet pan.
- Season the inside of the cavity with 2 teaspoons of salt and ½ teaspoon of black pepper.
- Stuff the cavity with the halved garlic head, pierced lemon, and fresh herbs.
- Rub the remaining 2 teaspoons of salt and ½ teaspoon of pepper over the outside of the chicken.
- Tie the legs together with kitchen twine or secure with toothpicks.
- Drizzle olive oil in the bottom of the pan and place the chicken breast-side down.
- Let the chicken sit at room temperature for 20 minutes.
- Roast at 425 °F for 25 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and carefully flip the chicken breast-side up.
- Reduce oven temperature to 375 °F (190 °C) and continue roasting for 25–30 minutes, or until an instant-read thermometer reads 160–165 °F (71–74 °C) in the thigh.
- Remove the chicken and let it rest for 15 minutes, loosely tented with foil.
- Carve and serve with pan juices.
Notes
- Letting the chicken rest before carving keeps it juicy.
- Use a meat thermometer for best doneness accuracy.
- Try adding root vegetables around the chicken for a one-pan meal.
- Butter under the skin adds richness and flavor.
- Leftovers can be stored for up to 4 days in the fridge.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 55–60 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 chicken
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 890mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 1g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
