Description
Succulent oven-roasted chicken delights palates with golden-brown perfection and herb-infused aromas. Crispy skin and tender meat promise a comforting meal that brings warmth to your dining table.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 whole chicken (about 4–5 lbs or 1.8–2.3 kg)
- 45 garlic cloves, smashed
- 1 lemon, quartered
- 1 onion, quartered
- 2 tbsps olive oil or melted butter
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp dried thyme (or rosemary)
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- Fresh herbs (thyme, rosemary, or parsley) for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preparation Ritual: Activate the oven to 425F (220C), draping a roasting pan with foil for effortless post-cooking cleanup.
- Chicken Conditioning: Meticulously pat the poultry dry, ensuring a crisp exterior. Extract any internal giblets from the cavity.
- Aromatic Infusion: Craft a robust marinade blending olive oil, lemon juice, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and dried thyme. Massage this fragrant mixture comprehensively across the chicken’s surface, penetrating beneath the skin and within the cavity.
- Flavor Enhancement: Nestle lemon quarters, onion segments, and whole garlic cloves inside the chicken’s interior, creating an aromatic flavor foundation.
- Structural Alignment: Optionally, secure chicken legs with kitchen twine to promote uniform heat distribution and consistent cooking.
- Roasting Performance: Position the chicken breast-side upward in the prepared pan. Roast approximately 1 hour 15 minutes, monitoring until the thickest thigh section registers 165F (74C). Midway through cooking, baste with accumulated pan juices to maximize moisture and flavor complexity.
- Resting Protocol: Allow the chicken to recuperate 10-15 minutes before carving, enabling internal juice redistribution and guaranteeing succulent meat texture.
- Presentation: Embellish with fresh herbs and accompany with roasted vegetables, creamy mashed potatoes, or a vibrant salad.
Notes
- Pat chicken completely dry before seasoning to ensure maximum skin crispiness and prevent steaming instead of roasting.
- Use a reliable meat thermometer to check internal temperature at thickest thigh point, avoiding undercooked or dry chicken.
- Massage seasoning mixture thoroughly under skin and inside cavity for maximum flavor penetration and even taste distribution.
- Allow chicken to rest post-roasting for at least 10 minutes, which helps juices redistribute, preventing dry meat and ensuring tender, succulent texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 0 g
- Sodium: 500 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 2 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 36 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg