Here’s a classic whole roasted chicken recipe that you can prepare at home by following a few simple steps. You can make this chicken roast on your own by adding your favourite spices and herbs. This smokey and delicious chicken meal, infused with the goodness of spices and herbs, is an indulgent treat for the taste buds that can be cooked at home with minimal effort.
Roasted chicken is a quick and easy meal that can be prepared in a matter of minutes and makes an excellent party snack/appetiser. It tastes great with tossed vegetables and mashed potatoes. It can, however, be served as a party starter or appetiser recipe. So, the next time you want to prepare something tasty and nutritious for a special occasion at home, try this wonderful dish and surprise your loved ones with this gourmet delicacy.
| Recipe Name | Whole Roasted Chicken Recipe |
| Place of Origin | American |
| Total Time Taken | 1 hour 25 minutes |
| Preparation Time | 10 minutes |
Whole Roasted Chicken Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 large carrot, halved lengthwise
- 1 stalk celery, cut into large thirds
- 1-2 pound whole chicken
- 1/2 teaspoon grated lemon zest
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt
- Freshly cracked black pepper
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 3 cloves garlic, finely minced
- 1/2 teaspoon fresh thyme
For the Cavity
- 1 head garlic, top sliced off
- 1/2 yellow onion, cut into 2 large pieces
- 1 lemon, cut in half
- 4–6 sprigs fresh thyme
Preparing the Peanuts
Step 1: Preheat the oven to 400°F. Melted butter, garlic, lemon zest, 1/2 teaspoon fresh thyme, and a large amount of salt and freshly cracked pepper in a small mixing bowl. In a cast iron skillet, combine the celery and carrots. Pat the chicken dry with a paper towel before placing it on top of the vegetables, breast side up.
Step 2: Rub the melted butter mixture beneath the chicken’s skin and inside the cavity, making sure to utilise all of the butter.
Step 3: Stuff the cavity of the chicken with the garlic head, yellow onion, lemon, and fresh thyme. If desired, bind the drumsticks with kitchen string.
Step 4: Drizzle the olive oil over the skin of the chicken and use a basting brush to cover the skin well. Season the chicken liberally with salt and freshly cracked black pepper.
Step 5: Place the chicken on the middle rack of the oven and roast for 1 hour and 15-30 minutes, basting every 30 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees at the thickest portion.
Step 6: Remove the chicken from the oven and rest it in the skillet for 10-15 minutes.
Step 7: Carve the chicken and serve with the pan drippings, or set aside to create a homemade chicken gravy.
Tips to Enhance the Taste
- For consistently crispy skin, thoroughly pat both the outside and inside of the chicken dry with a paper towel.
- Chicken requires salt to be tasty, so don’t skimp on it when roasting a chicken. There’s no need to go overboard with the seasoning but season both the inside and outside of the chicken well.
- To make the chicken roast more flavourful, fill it with aromatic spices, vegetables, or cheese.
- Basting the chicken is unnecessary for crispy skin and can actually lead the chicken to be dryer because you are constantly opening the oven and letting the heat out, making it take longer to cook.
- To get the right infusion of spices, make sure the chicken is properly marinated and kept for a few hours for optimal results.
Serving Ideas
This roasted chicken dish works great with creamy mashed potatoes or a hearty salad. It can be paired with so many other things!
Nutritional Content in Whole Roasted Chicken Recipe
| Calories | 354 kcal |
| Fats | 19g |
| Carbs | 14g |
| Protein | 33g |
Frequently Asked Questions About Roasted Chicken Recipe
Q. Do you cover an entire chicken when roasting it?
Cook the chicken for 10-15 minutes, uncovered, at 450 degrees F. Reduce the temperature to 350 degrees F and roast for 20 minutes per pound or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees. The skin should be golden brown and the juices should be clear.
Q. What temperature should a whole roasted chicken be cooked to?
You can roast or bake at temperatures ranging from 325 to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. When roasting a whole chicken, a good rule of thumb is to start at 400 to 425 degrees F, then reduce to 350 after 15 minutes and cook until the internal temperature of the chicken is 165 - 175 degrees F on an instant-read thermometer.
Q. What is the best way to protect a roasted chicken from drying out?
After thoroughly drying the chicken with paper towels, sprinkle generously with salt to keep the interior wet while crisping the skin and intensifying the flavour.
Q. What is the best way to prepare a chicken?
To begin, prick the thickest section of each breast with a fork and season with salt and pepper. The chicken is then placed in a baking dish, carefully covered with foil, and baked at 275°F until it reaches a temperature of 145°F to 150°F.
Q. What should you take out before cooking a whole chicken?
Unless previously removed after thawing, a whole chicken will typically contain a giblet package that must be removed from its cavity. If using the giblets, rinse with cold water and pat dry with a paper towel.
Q. Is it necessary to wash a whole chicken before roasting it?
The raw chicken should not be washed. Instead, remove the chicken from its packaging and place it immediately in the cooking pan. As long as you attain the right internal cooking temperature, the heat from cooking will eliminate any bacteria that are present.
