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    The Life Jolie » Main/Entree » Whole Roasted Chicken Recipe

    Whole Roasted Chicken Recipe

    Published: Mar 2, 2015 · Modified: Jun 15, 2022 by Jessy Freimann · This post may contain affiliate links · This blog generates income via ads.

    This is the most simple delicious whole roast chicken recipe- there is no extra, unnecessary work but the results are super delicious- even the white meat is super tender and succulent! This recipe is fool-proof!

    There is something so traditional, so classic about whole roasted chicken. It is very easy to throw together and yet it still has the "wow factor" that you want when you cook for guests.

    This is the most simple delicious whole roast chicken recipe- there is no extra, unnecessary work but the results are super delicious- even the white meat is super tender and succulent! This recipe is fool-proof!

    Whole roasted chicken was intimidating to me for such a long time. There were the concerns about over-cooked white meat, trussing, brining, basting...my head is spinning just thinking about all of it. But one day, I said "screw it" and bought a bird and I just cooked it. There was no brining or trussing. I didn't even own a baster (though I received one 2 Christmas' ago in my stocking and promptly lost it). In terms of seasoning, I followed my instincts.  Once it had cooked up to the required 165 degrees and was a lovely golden brown, I crossed my fingers and cut into it. To my surprise, I had cooked my little chicken upside down. As in the breast was down. Oops. Luckily for me, the ultimate crispy-skin-enthusiast, there was plenty of crispy skin available. When I tasted that chicken breast I was hooked. It was perfectly tender and moist. And I don't even like white meat!

    This is the most simple delicious whole roast chicken recipe- there is no extra, unnecessary work but the results are super delicious- even the white meat is super tender and succulent! This recipe is fool-proof! www.thelifejolie.com

    This is the most simple delicious whole roast chicken recipe- there is no extra, unnecessary work but the results are super delicious- even the white meat is super tender and succulent! This recipe is fool-proof! www.thelifejolie.com

    This is the most simple delicious whole roast chicken recipe- there is no extra, unnecessary work but the results are super delicious- even the white meat is super tender and succulent! This recipe is fool-proof! www.thelifejolie.com

    After that, I never cooked the breast side up again. I've made this chicken so many times and it is easy and consistently delicious. Cooking times will vary with your oven, but temp it starting around an hour and then check it every 10-15 minutes after until the thigh temps out at 165 degrees (make sure you don't hit the bone!) and don't forget to let it rest for at least 10 minutes before carving it!.

    This is the most simple delicious whole roast chicken recipe- there is no extra, unnecessary work but the results are super delicious- even the white meat is super tender and succulent! This recipe is fool-proof! www.thelifejolie.com

    This is the most simple delicious whole roast chicken recipe- there is no extra, unnecessary work but the results are super delicious- even the white meat is super tender and succulent! This recipe is fool-proof! www.thelifejolie.com

    This is the most simple delicious whole roast chicken recipe- there is no extra, unnecessary work but the results are super delicious- even the white meat is super tender and succulent! This recipe is fool-proof! www.thelifejolie.com

    Whole Roast Chicken

    Source: The Life Jolie

    Ingredients:

    • 1 whole roasting chicken, gizzards and that silly little plastic store temp removed (mine was around 5-6 lbs)
    • 2 medium onions, cut into chunks
    • 3-4 whole cloves of garlic, peeled
    • 3 lemons, 2 cut into chunks, 1 cut in half (if you can find Meyer lemons I encourage you to spend the extra couple of dollars, the flavor is even more amazing.)
    • Olive oil
    • Salt to taste
    • Pepper to taste
    • Herbs de provence to taste

    Preheat your oven to 425 degrees.

    Spray a 9" x 13" baking pan with cooking spray and spread most of your onions, lemon chunks and garlic cloves (reserve a few for the inside of the chicken).

    Stuff the chicken with the remaining onion, lemons chunks and garlic and season the cavity liberally with salt, pepper and herbs de provence. Be sure not to over stuff the chicken, you don't want it to be completely full.

    Rub the breast side of the chicken with olive oil and then season liberally with salt, pepper and herbs de provence. You can also put some seasoning under the skin, especially if you're working with fresh herbs. I was lazy today and didn't do this. The chicken was still amazingly delicious and flavorful.

    Place the chicken, breast side down into the pan. Rub the other side of the chicken with olive oil and squeeze your two lemon halves all over the chicken. Season liberally with salt, pepper and herbs de provence. At this point I usually give a quick spray of cooking spray over the top and pop the bird into the oven.

    Roast for around an 50-90 minutes. The exact time depends on your oven. In my old apartment it usually reached temp around an hour. In my current oven, it takes around 1 hour and 20 minutes. The thigh should temp out to 165 degree, make sure you don't hit a bone.

    Let the chicken rest for at least 10 minutes before carving.

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    Comments

    1. TwoPlusCute says

      March 04, 2015 at 12:34 pm

      It looks so delicious, I can almost smell it. :D
      Reply
      • Jessy says

        March 04, 2015 at 12:49 pm

        Thank you- the house smelled incredible! Enjoy!
        Reply
    2. Betty says

      March 04, 2015 at 11:10 pm

      I am a crispy-skin-enthusiast too; nothing beats a roast chicken, except maybe two of them. Whole chickens are the cheapest form of meat for us, and I will often roast two at once and use the leftovers in salad, pasta, or casseroles. Your recipe looks delicious. I am visiting from Think Tank Thursday.
      Reply
      • Jessy says

        March 04, 2015 at 11:17 pm

        Thanks for stopping by- I'm with you there, two chickens is definitely better than one! I love all of the leftovers are awesome. I like to make this on Sundays because then I have leftovers with all sorts of quick-meal potential after a long Monday. Enjoy! :)
        Reply
    3. Rattlebridge Farm--Foodie Friday & Everything Else says

      March 06, 2015 at 10:20 pm

      Your chicken looks delicious. Thanks for adding your recipe to Foodie Friday and E.Else!
      Reply
      • Jessy says

        March 08, 2015 at 9:44 pm

        Thank you so much!
        Reply
    4. Krista says

      March 07, 2015 at 2:58 pm

      This looks delish! Can't wait to try! Thanks for linking up at the #HomeMattersParty! Would lvoe you see on Mondays at MeetUpMonday! http://www.thequinntessentialmommy.com/meet-up-monday/meetup-monday-8/
      Reply
      • Jessy says

        March 08, 2015 at 9:44 pm

        Thank you- I hope you enjoy !
        Reply
    5. Jann Olson says

      March 10, 2015 at 9:43 pm

      Looks so yummy and moist! Thanks for sharing with SYC. hugs, Jann
      Reply
      • Jessy says

        March 11, 2015 at 9:07 am

        Thank you so much- it's probably one of my favorite things to make because the people I love enjoy it. One of the ways I like to show my love is by cooking for the people that I love.
        Reply
    6. Nina says

      March 11, 2015 at 12:06 pm

      This looks absolutely deliciousness! So glad you linked up to the Thursday Favorite Things Blog Hop at Katherine's Corner. Hope to see you again this week at the hop! Nina @ Vintage Mama's Cottage
      Reply
      • Jessy says

        March 11, 2015 at 12:08 pm

        Thanks for stopping by- I hope you enjoy!
        Reply

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