Forktionary

Basic Roast Chicken Recipe

Achieve perfectly crispy skin and juicy, flavorful meat with this easy roast chicken recipe! Inspired by Jamie Oliver, this simple method guarantees delicious results every time. Learn how to roast a whole chicken to perfection – a classic dish for any weeknight or special occasion.

Prep Time 20 mins
Cook Time 80 mins
Calories 712 kcal
Protein 112g
Rating 5.0 (1 Reviews)
Basic Roast Chicken 115

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Recipe Author

Chef Forktionary, author of this recipe

Recipe adapted from Food.com. Standardized by Forktionary.

Ingredients for Basic Roast Chicken

  • 1 whole chicken (3 to 4 pounds)
  • 1 tablespoon kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 lemon, halved
  • 4 sprigs fresh rosemary
  • 4 sprigs fresh thyme
  • 4 cloves garlic, smashed

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How to Make Basic Roast Chicken

  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
  2. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels. This crucial step helps achieve crispy skin.
  3. Place the chicken in a roasting pan.
  4. Season generously with salt and pepper, both inside and out.
  5. Tuck the wings behind the back and place the legs together.
  6. Stuff the cavity with lemon halves, herbs (rosemary and thyme are excellent choices), and garlic cloves (optional).
  7. Roast for 60-80 minutes, or until a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh registers 165°F (74°C).
  8. Let the chicken rest for 10-15 minutes before carving. This allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in a more tender and flavorful bird.
  9. Carve and serve! Enjoy your perfectly roasted chicken.

Nutrition Information (Approximate per serving)

Sodium

9 g

Sugar

0g

Fat

74g

Carbs

0g

Recipe Categories (Choose a category and find related recipes!)

Main Courses Main Dish / Dinner Poultry Chicken Recipes European Mediterranean Healthy Gluten Free Keto Paleo Fall Recipes Holiday Recipes

Recipe Tags (Choose a tag and find related recipes!)

Time To Make Course Main Ingredient Preparation 5 Ingredients Or Less Very Low Carbs Main Dish Poultry Easy Chicken Dietary Low Sodium High Protein Low Carb High In Something Low In Something Meat Whole Chicken 4 Hours Or Less