Description
This Holiday Roasted Chicken recipe delivers a flavorful and juicy whole chicken, roasted to perfection with aromatic garlic, rosemary, lemon, and onions. Perfect for festive occasions or a comforting family dinner, it features simple, wholesome ingredients and classic roasting techniques to create a delicious, golden-brown main dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Whole Chicken
- 5 Pounds whole chicken
- ½ Cup butter
- 1 Teaspoon sea salt (or kosher salt)
- 1 Teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
- 4 Sprigs rosemary
- 3 bay leaves
Garlic and Aromatics
- 1 Bulb garlic
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 1 white onion
- 1 lemon (sliced or wedged)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (204°C) to get it ready for roasting the chicken and garlic.
- Roast Garlic: Cut off one end of the garlic bulb and place it in foil. Drizzle olive oil and sprinkle sea salt over it, then seal the foil and roast the garlic for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, take the chicken and butter out to come to room temperature, which helps for even cooking.
- Prepare Garlic Butter: After roasting, remove the garlic cloves from the bulb and separate them into two halves. Mix one half of these roasted garlic cloves into the butter to create a flavorful garlic butter.
- Butter the Chicken: Brush the entire chicken generously with the garlic butter. Place the remaining roasted garlic cloves inside the chicken cavity along with rosemary sprigs, lemon wedges, and sliced onion. Tie the legs together to secure the stuffing.
- Season Chicken: Season the outside of the chicken with additional rosemary, sea salt, and freshly cracked black pepper to enhance the flavor.
- Initial Roasting: Place the seasoned chicken onto a roasting pan and put it on the center rack in the oven. Roast uncovered for 1 hour to develop a crispy skin and cook through.
- Continue Roasting Covered: Cover the chicken with foil and continue roasting for an additional hour, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) to ensure it is safely cooked and juicy.
- Rest the Chicken: Remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for 10 minutes, allowing the juices to redistribute for moist meat.
- Serve: Slice the chicken and serve it warm, ideal for holiday gatherings or a hearty meal.
Notes
- Bringing the chicken and butter to room temperature before cooking ensures even roasting.
- Using a meat thermometer is recommended to check for doneness and avoid overcooking.
- You can save the pan juices to make a delicious gravy or sauce.
- Tying the legs helps to keep the stuffing inside and maintain the chicken’s shape.
