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This simple and delicious roast chicken recipe tastes like you spent all day cooking it, but only needs 10 minutes of prep!
Easier Than you Think!
We love to eat chicken for dinner, but cooking a whole chicken, always seemed very intimidating! Now that we’ve mastered this easy whole roasted chicken – nothing could be further from the truth! The seasonings are simple but always deliver tender, flavorful results and makes for an easy Sunday dinner or holiday meal!
The best part is this simple and delicious roast chicken recipe takes just a few minutes of hands-on time to make (about 10 minutes!), but tastes like you spent all day cooking it! It’s a dinner classic that never disappoints!
Serve it up with some rolls and your favorite side dish – and you’re set!
WHY WE LOVE IT:
- Bright flavor. The lemon and rosemary are a classic pairing with chicken making it so delicious!
- 5 ingredients. It really doesn’t take much to make this tasty chicken dinner!
- Perfect for a Sunday dinner or a holiday. It’s BEAUTIFUL and quite the centerpiece – you’d never guess how easy it is!
Ingredients
PREP TIME: 10 minutes
COOK TIME: 1 hour 10 minutes
REST TIME: 10 minutes
- 1 (4-5 pound) whole chicken – (feeds 4-6 people). If using frozen chicken, thaw it in the refrigerator for 24 hours per pound.
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 large lemon cut into quarters
- 3-4 sprigs rosemary
- 2 tablespoons salted butter softened – How to Soften Butter Quickly. Mix lemon zest into the butter if desired.
How Long to Bake A Whole Chicken
- PREP. Preheat the oven to 400°F.
- Prepare the chicken by patting it dry with paper towels and removing the giblets and/or gravy pouch.
- SEASON. Sprinkle chicken with salt and pepper. Place lemon quarters and 3-4 sprigs of rosemary in the cavity. Tie the chicken’s legs together with kitchen twine. Spread 2 tablespoons butter over the top of the skin.
- ROAST. Place chicken in a roasting pan on a rack or a 9×13-inch baking dish. Bake for 60 minutes, then check the temperature in the thickest part of the thigh. Continue cooking, checking every 10 minutes, until it reaches 165°F.
- Roasting covered will yield a soft skin while baking uncovered will cause the skin to crisp. There is no need to baste, but you can if you’d like.
- Remove chicken from the oven and let it sit 10–15 minutes before cutting and serving.
Slow Cooker Instructions
Follow the steps in our Slow Cooker Roast Chicken recipe!
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Roast Chicken Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 (4-5 pound) whole chicken
- salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 large lemon, cut into quarters
- 3-4 sprigs rosemary
- 2 tablespoons salted butter, softened
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F.
- Prepare the chicken by patting it dry with paper towels and removing the giblets and/or gravy pouch.
- Sprinkle chicken with salt and pepper. Place lemon and rosemary in the cavity. Tie the chicken’s legs together with kitchen twine. Spread butter over the top of the skin.
- Place chicken in a roasting pan or a 9×13-inch baking dish. Bake for 60 minutes, then check the temperature in the thickest part of the thigh. Continue cooking, checking every 10 minutes, until it reaches 165°F.
- Remove chicken from the oven and let it sit for 10–15 minutes before cutting and serving.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Recipe FAQ
Remove any remaining meat from the bones and store it in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 days or freeze for 3-4 months. Use leftover chicken to make sandwiches, salads, soups, and casseroles.
This is such an easy way to make chicken. my family loves chicken recipes so i use this a lot for other recipes!
As a neW cook roasting a whole chicken seems Daunting. your recipe and intructions Are perfect tO help walk a newbie through the process. Thanks!
This looks so moist and delicious! Will definitely have to impress the inlaws with this one!
Nothing like a great roast chicken! Thanks for sharing all the details
We love chicken meals in our house but this would be a fun change from our usual. So easy and delicious!
Turns out so juicy and tender!
This chicken is absolutely amazing!
A quick and convienent way to roAst chicken. I love Having cooked up chicken in my fridge or frezzer. Always ready for my next meal!
I love making this chicken!
What an easy way to roast chicken & it looks so tender & juicy!! This will be great for Easter!