If you love making the perfect roast chicken, here's how to nail it every time. You’ll get crumbly, golden skin and juicy meat inside. The secret? Garlic herb butter under and on the skin, plus a stuffing of lemon and herbs.
It's easier than you might think. With just a few simple ingredients and our foolproof procedure, you'll be serving up restaurant-quality roast chicken at home.
Roasted Chicken Ingredients
Get ready to prepare the most tender roast chicken ever! Here's what you will need:
Chicken: You can take a whole chicken, about 3 pounds. You may adjust the recipe as per your chicken size, which can be a little larger or smaller.
Salt and Black Pepper: Take these very common seasonings and sprinkle them for adding flavor to the chicken.
Onion Powder: Take one tablespoon of onion powder to add more savory taste. For this, you may adjust the amount according to your taste.
Butter: Use half a cup. This helps keep the chicken moist and gives a substance for the seasonings to stick to.
Celery: Take one stalk. Remove leaves before use. Stuffing this in the chicken adds subtle flavor and helps release moisture when it's cooking. This extra moisture will be what keeps the chicken juicy and tender but with a light, fresh taste.
After you have ready all the ingredients required for a homemade roasted chicken recipe let’s dive into its making process:
Step 1: Preheat oven
Turn your oven on to 350°F (175°C). While it's heating up, gather all your ingredients. This is your mise en place moment - having everything ready makes the process smoother.
Step 2: Ready the seasonings
Place it in a roasting pan, breast side up. Grab your seasonings mentioned above! Dust onion powder, salt, and pepper generously over the entire chicken, including inside the cavity.
Proper seasoning is key. Next, take 3 tablespoons of butter and place them inside the chicken. With the remaining butter, create little dollops all over the outside of the bird.
This butter will melt during cooking, keeping the meat moist and helping create a golden, crispy skin.
Time for the celery. Wash a stalk and cut it into 3 or 4 pieces. Stuff these pieces right into the chicken's cavity. The celery will release moisture as it cooks, infusing the meat with subtle flavor and extra juiciness.
Once your chicken strikes the right temperature, take it out of the oven. Then drizzle those yummy juices that are left on the pan on the chicken. This process referred to as basting also imparts a second dose of seasoning.
Next, place some pieces of aluminum foil over your chicken. Leave it like this for the next about 30 minutes before you start carving it.
Note: During this resting period, the chicken continues to cook slightly from residual heat, while the juices redistribute throughout the meat. This makes every bite tender and flavorful. The foil keeps everything warm without drying it out.
How Long To Roast A Chicken
A whole chicken, weighing about 3 pounds, should take slightly over an hour in a 350 degrees F oven to get well done all over.
You’ll know it’s done when; there is no more pink color at the bone, the juices have cleared up and the internal temperature where the thermometer is inserted reaches 165 degrees F for the thickest part of the thigh near the bone.
To have the best outcome ensure that your chicken is at room temperature, to do this, take it out of the refrigerator about 30 minutes before cooking. It also helps it to cook more evenly.
As the chicken gets roasted, its skin will change its color to golden brown and your kitchen should smell good. If you realize the skin is getting too dark, just loosely tent the dish with aluminum foil.
Upon roasting leave the chicken for about 10-15 minutes before slicing. It also gives the juices time to spread out across the meat, and by the time one sits down to lunch, every piece is juicy.
Here are some useful tips that will assist you on how to roast chicken to make it crispy for your every occasion!
Make sure that you wipe your chicken thoroughly with a paper towel and make sure the skin is very dry before seasoning – this is a trade secret to achieving those crunchy skin.
Don't have a fancy roasting pan? No problem! A regular baking sheet with a rack placed on top works just as well.
Remember to season generously both inside and outside of your chicken - great flavor starts from within.
For extra juicy meat, gently lift the skin and spread butter underneath. This adds rich flavor and helps keep the meat moist.
Before you put your chicken in the oven, place those wings in between the legs – this little hack ensures the wings don’t burn due to the lengthy cooking process.
Take your chicken to room temperature for approximately half an hour before roasting – this helps the process.
For food safety, always ensure your chicken reaches 165°F in the thickest part of the thigh.
Store Roasted Chicken
To retain the deliciousness of the roasted chicken you must allow it to cool before serving or storing it. When cool, transfer to an air-tight container before placing into the refrigerator and it can last for up to four days.
For the best flavor and texture of the leftover dish, warm it up in the oven but if you want a fast method you can use your microwave.
Pro tip: When reheating the chicken make sure that the chicken is moist by adding chicken broth or water in that container. In case of using the oven, heat it at 350 degrees F until it is warm through.
When reheating with a microwave, use medium heat because heating should be done at short intervals to prevent the meat from getting too dry.
Proper storage helps maintain both safety and flavor. Always check that your chicken still smells fresh and looks good before reheating.
You can also slice or shred your chicken before storing it - this makes it easier to use in sandwiches, salads, or quick meals throughout the week!
Make your roast chicken dinner truly special with these mouthwatering side dishes that'll have everyone asking for seconds!
Crispy Smashed Potatoes
Transform ordinary potatoes into something extraordinary! These smashed potatoes deliver the best of both worlds - creamy, tender centers hidden beneath a golden-brown, crispy crust.
They're simple to make but look and taste impressive enough for any special dinner.
Zesty Lemon Garlic Mushrooms
Bring bold flavors to your table with whole mushrooms bathed in a bright, lemony garlic sauce. Thread them onto skewers or toss them in a grilling basket for easy turning.
As they cook, they soak up all that delicious sauce, becoming juicy flavor bombs that perfectly complement your roast chicken.
Simple Parmesan Asparagus
Need a quick yet elegant veggie side? This four-ingredient wonder comes together in just 15 minutes.
Pop it in the oven while your chicken rests, and you'll have perfectly roasted asparagus spears enhanced with nutty Parmesan cheese. It's foolproof and fabulous!
Herbed Rice Pilaf
Cook your rice from ordinary to exquisite with this delicious pilaf. First, you want to toast the rice because it will give it a nice nutty flavor and then you mix it with your favorite herbs and the rest of the ingredients you probably already have in your pantry.
The result? A soft, aromatic surface for your tender succulent chicken meat that can easily transform a week’s average meals.
Got chicken left from yesterday's roast? Don't just reheat it - make your roast chicken work double-duty with these exciting recipes that turn yesterday's dinner into today's star dish!
Chicken Garden Soup
Turn your leftover chicken into a warm, cozy soup filled with veggies. Add whatever vegetables you have in your fridge - carrots, celery, peas - they all work great!
Want to make it more filling? Just throw in some small pasta. It's perfect for cold days and so easy to make.
BBQ Chicken Buns
Make simple steamed buns using coconut milk and flour, then fill them with your shredded chicken mixed with BBQ sauce, ginger, and lime. These tasty little buns are a fun way to make your leftover chicken exciting again!
Loaded Chicken Salad
Toss your chicken in homemade croutons and bacon bits that are crispy and crunchy.
Top with the choice of preferred salad greens and dressing and you have a very delicious meal that tastes as good almost as the original roast beef dish! Enjoy it warm or cold - both ways taste great.
Spicy Noodle Chicken Salad
Want something with a kick? Toss your chicken with noodles, fresh herbs and this spicy lime dressing.
Feel free to add any other crunchy vegetables that you wish to include – bell peppers are great; carrots are even better; and cucumber is pretty much awesome. It is great for the lunch box and so delicious!
