Description
This simple crispy roast chicken is infused with garlic herb butter, yielding golden, shatteringly crisp skin and juicy, tender meat—perfect for a comforting yet elegant meal any day of the week.
Ingredients
- 1 whole chicken (about 4 pounds), room temperature, neck and giblets removed
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 lemon, halved
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 head of garlic, halved horizontally
- 3–4 sprigs fresh rosemary
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 430°F (220°C) and line or grease a roasting pan.
- Pat the chicken dry with paper towels and discard neck and excess fat.
- Pour olive oil, melted butter, and juice of half a lemon over the chicken, rubbing it under the skin and inside the cavity.
- Season chicken with salt, pepper, and parsley.
- Rub minced garlic all over the chicken, including under the skin.
- Stuff the cavity with the halved garlic head, rosemary sprigs, and the squeezed lemon half.
- Tie the legs together with kitchen string and place chicken breast-side up in the roasting pan.
- Roast for 1 hour and 15–20 minutes, basting halfway through, until juices run clear when the thigh is pierced.
- Baste again and broil for 2–3 minutes for an extra crispy, golden skin.
- Remove from oven, cover with foil, and let rest for 10 minutes before carving.
- Serve with pan juices and lemon wedges if desired.
Notes
- Patting the chicken dry ensures crispier skin.
- Use dried herbs if fresh are unavailable—reduce the amount to one-third.
- Add smoked paprika or cayenne for a spicy twist.
- Store leftovers in the fridge for 3–4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
- To reheat, use the oven for best texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 chicken
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 2g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 140mg
