Description
A simple and reliable method for cooking chicken that yields tender and juicy results every time.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 whole chicken (about 3–4 pounds)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 1 lemon, halved
- 4 cloves garlic, smashed
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Pat the chicken dry with paper towels. This helps the skin crisp up.
- Rub the chicken all over with olive oil.
- In a small bowl, mix together salt, pepper, thyme, and rosemary. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the chicken.
- Place the halved lemon and smashed garlic cloves inside the chicken cavity.
- Tie the chicken legs together with kitchen twine if desired, though this is optional for this method.
- Place the chicken in a roasting pan.
- Roast for 1 hour and 15 minutes to 1 hour and 30 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) in the thickest part of the thigh, avoiding the bone.
- Let the chicken rest for 10-15 minutes before carving. This allows the juices to redistribute, making the chicken more moist.
Notes
- For crispier skin, you can increase the oven temperature to 425°F (220°C) for the last 15-20 minutes of cooking.
- You can add vegetables like potatoes, carrots, or onions to the roasting pan during the last 45 minutes of cooking.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 75 min
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 chicken
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 0g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 45g
- Cholesterol: 120mg
Keywords: chicken recipe, roasted chicken, foolproof chicken, easy chicken, simple chicken, juicy chicken, tender chicken