The Best Roasted Chicken

4.9
(28)
21 Reviews
12 Photos

This is the best chicken I have ever made. My husband liked this so much that, because I had leftover potatoes, gravy, and cornbread stuffing, I had to make another chicken.

Submitted by Patricia Feeney Monson
Updated on February 4, 2024
close up view of a Roasted Chicken in a white baking dish
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Prep Time:
20 mins
Cook Time:
1 hr
Additional Time:
15 mins
Total Time:
1 hr 35 mins
Servings:
6
Yield:
6 servings
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Ingredients

Original recipe (1X) yields 6 servings

  • ¼ cup butter, softened

  • 4 cloves garlic, chopped

  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme

  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary

  • 1 lemon, zested and halved

  • 1 teaspoon salt, divided

  • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper, divided

  • 1 whole chicken

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).

  2. Mix butter, garlic, thyme, rosemary, lemon zest, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper together in a bowl.

  3. Loosen skin on chicken breast; rub butter mixture between skin and breast meat. Press on the skin to distribute evenly. Rub oil, remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper all over; place lemon halves inside cavity. Set in a baking pan.

  4. Roast in the preheated oven, basting after 30 minutes, until chicken is no longer pink, about 1 hour. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh, near the bone, should read 165 degrees F (74 degrees C). Let rest before carving, about 15 minutes.

Cook’s Note

After placing the herb butter under the chicken skin, I like to let it rest in the refrigerator for a few hours or a full day to let the flavors mingle.

Basting really enhances the color and flavor and creates nice drippings for gravy.

68 home cooks made it!

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

381 Calories
27g Fat
3g Carbs
31g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 6
Calories 381
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 27g 35%
Saturated Fat 10g 50%
Cholesterol 117mg 39%
Sodium 537mg 23%
Total Carbohydrate 3g 1%
Dietary Fiber 1g 4%
Protein 31g 62%
Vitamin C 16mg 18%
Calcium 37mg 3%
Iron 2mg 11%
Potassium 316mg 7%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.