Yield: 1 roasted chicken

How to Roast a Chicken

This Roasted Chicken is juicy, savory and delicious. It’s a classic family dinner staple that can be combined with most any side dish and salad. All you need is a whole fresh chicken, kosher salt, pepper and optionally any favorite herbs, garlic and or citrus to customize – it is that easy!

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 40 minutes

Ingredients

  • 6 pounds whole chicken
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil or as needed depending on the size of the chicken, you can also used unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 tablespoon Kosher salt amount to taste, you can be liberal with the salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon fresh ground pepper amount to taste, plus more for serving
  • OPTIONAL SEASONINGS
  • 2 sprigs rosemary optional 1-2 sprigs
  • 2 sprigs thyme optional
  • 2 cloves fresh garlic optional

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. 
  2. Remove the whole fresh chicken from it's packaging. Using paper towels, pat the chicken completely dry. Place the chicken on the baking rack.
  3. Remove the bag containing the neck and giblets from the chicken cavity and either discard or save for making gravy.
  4. Using baking twine, tie the legs of the chicken together securely. This keeps the legs from overcooking.
  5. Rub olive oil all over the skin of the chickenHow to Roast a Chicken
  6. Tuck the wings of the chicken behind the back of the chicken.
  7. Sprinkle Kosher salt and fresh ground pepper all over the chicken. Make sure to salt the cavity of the chicken. Add any optional seasonings/ingredients to the chicken cavity.
  8. Roast the prepared chicken on the bottom rack, once you close the door, turn the heat down to 400 degrees F. At 1 hour check the chicken using a meat thermometer in the thickest part of the thigh and the thickest part of the breast, the temperature should be 165 degrees F before being considered done. If it needs more time, leave it roasting and check at 10 minutes intervals. The total time should be no more than 1 1 /2 hours. Time exact time when your chicken is done will depend on the size of the chicken. When it's done allow it to rest for 15 minutes before carving. The juices should run clear. Serve with your favorite sides and enjoy!How to Roast a Chicken

Notes

  • you can save the neck and giblets to make chicken gravy or discard
  • Using a meat thermometer, make sure that the chicken is at 165 degrees F, checking the deepest part of the thigh and breast before removing the Roasted Chicken from the oven.
  • Make sure when roasting the chicken, keep the oven door closed. You can check it at 1 hour and if it needs more time, check it at 10 minute intervals from there up to 1 1/2 hours total roasting time.
  • leftovers can be kept for up to 5 days in an airtight container and you can freeze up to 3 months.

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Nutrition Information:

Yield:

4

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 1765Total Fat: 105gSaturated Fat: 29gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 65gCholesterol: 626mgSodium: 2308mgCarbohydrates: 2gFiber: 1gSugar: 0gProtein: 191g

Please note that the Calculated Nutrition is an estimate at best.

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