Description
A comprehensive guide to roasting the perfect whole chicken, focusing on ingredients, tools, preparation steps, serving suggestions, and tips for success.
Ingredients
- Whole chicken (4-5 lbs)
- Olive oil (2 tablespoons)
- Salt (1 tablespoon, or to taste)
- Black pepper (1 teaspoon, or to taste)
- Garlic (4 cloves, smashed)
- Fresh herbs (a handful, such as rosemary, thyme, or parsley)
- Lemon (1, halved)
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken by removing it from packaging and patting it dry.
- Season the chicken with olive oil, salt, and black pepper, both inside and out.
- Stuff the cavity with smashed garlic, fresh herbs, and halved lemon.
- Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Place the chicken breast-side up in a roasting pan and roast for about 1 hour and 15 minutes.
- Baste the chicken halfway through cooking with its own juices.
- Check for doneness using a meat thermometer; it should read 165°F (75°C).
- Let the chicken rest for 15-20 minutes before carving.
Notes
- Let the chicken come to room temperature before roasting for even cooking.
- Season generously to enhance flavor.
- Avoid opening the oven door frequently to maintain heat.
- Rest the chicken after roasting to keep it juicy.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of chicken
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 0g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 40g
- Cholesterol: 120mg
Keywords: roast chicken, whole chicken, cooking, recipe, home cooking