Description
Golden crispy skin, juicy meat, and savory herb aroma make this Classic Roast Chicken a dinner staple. It’s simple to prepare, yet delivers a meal that feels like home.
Ingredients
1 whole chicken (3.5 to 4.5 pounds)
2 tablespoons olive oil or melted butter
1 tablespoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 lemon, halved
1 head garlic, halved crosswise
4 sprigs fresh rosemary
4 sprigs fresh thyme
2 carrots, roughly chopped
2 celery stalks, roughly chopped
1 yellow onion, quartered
Instructions
1. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Remove the giblets from the cavity if present, and pat the chicken dry with paper towels.
2. Rub the chicken with olive oil or butter, and season thoroughly with salt and pepper. Stuff the cavity with lemon, garlic, rosemary, and thyme.
3. Arrange the chopped carrots, celery, and onion in a roasting pan. Place the chicken breast-side up on top.
4. Roast for about 1 hour and 15 minutes, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) at the thigh.
5. Transfer to a cutting board and let rest for 10 to 15 minutes. Carve and serve with pan juices or gravy.
Notes
For extra crisp skin, leave the seasoned chicken uncovered in the fridge overnight.
Don’t skip resting the bird before carving—this keeps the meat juicy.
Use leftover chicken in soups, sandwiches, or pasta for easy meals.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 chicken
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 890mg
- Fat: 27g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 7g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 140mg
Keywords: classic roast chicken, oven chicken dinner, whole chicken recipe