This Whole Roasted Chicken Recipe is The G.O.A.T.

Chef Roscoe Hall's whole roasted chicken with butter, lemon, and thyme is the best there is! You'll be making it over and over again!

overhead view of golden roast chicken on wire rack over roasting pan
Prep Time:
10 mins
Cook Time:
45 mins
Rest Time:
30 mins
Total Time:
1 hr 25 mins
Servings:
6
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Ingredients

Original recipe (1X) yields 6 servings

  • 1 (3 pound) whole chicken, giblets removed

  • salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

  • 1/2 cup butter, or more as needed

  • 10 sprigs thyme

  • 1/2 lemon

  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

Directions

  1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C).

  2. Pat chicken dry with paper towels. Season heavily with salt and pepper, on the outside and inside the cavity. Stuff the cavity with 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter and thyme sprigs. Squeeze 1/2 lemon into the cavity and drop lemon half inside.

  3. Rub the remaining 1/4 cup butter underneath the skin. Rub the skin with 1 tablespoon olive oil or additional melted butter. Place chicken on a wire rack in a roasting pan. 

  4. Bake chicken, uncovered, in the preheated oven until an instant read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the chicken reads at least 160 degrees F (70 degrees C), about 45 minutes.

  5. Remove from the oven and baste with drippings. Allow to rest for about 30 minutes before serving.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

467 Calories
33g Fat
13g Carbs
32g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 6
Calories 467
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 33g 43%
Saturated Fat 14g 72%
Cholesterol 142mg 47%
Sodium 265mg 12%
Total Carbohydrate 13g 5%
Dietary Fiber 4g 13%
Total Sugars 4g
Protein 32g 64%
Vitamin C 68mg 75%
Calcium 58mg 4%
Iron 2mg 14%
Potassium 449mg 10%

* 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.