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Perfect Roasted Chicken

This easy roasted chicken is a family pleasing favorite
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time1 hour 40 minutes
Course: Dinner, Main
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Chicken, roasted
Servings: 6

Equipment

  • Roasting rack and pan
  • glass measuring cup
  • Pastry brush
  • kitchen twine

Ingredients

  • 1 4-6 pound chicken
  • 1/4 cup (half stick) butter, melted
  • 1 lemon, quartered
  • 1 small onion, quartered
  • 2-3 cloves garlic, smashed
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon thyme or rosemary
  • 1/2 teaspoon granulated garlic

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 425.
  • Melt butter in microwave 30 seconds.
  • Check chicken cavity for neck and giblets, remove if present. Pat chicken dry with paper towels. Place on roasting pan.
  • Sprinkle salt and pepper inside chicken cavity.
  • Stuff chicken with quartered lemon, onion, and garlic.
  • Tie legs closed with kitchen twine, and tuck wings under.
  • Add salt, pepper, and spices to melted butter.
  • Brush butter all over chicken. We also brush some butter under the breast meat skin.
  • Bake for 90 minutes. Check for doneness by inserting a meat thermometer into thickest part of thigh. Temp should reach 165 degrees.
  • Allow chicken to rest at least 15 minutes before carving.

Notes

Out of lemons and onions? That's okay, fill the bird with stuffing/dressing, celery, and/or carrots.
Save the carcass! Place in a ziplock bag so later you can pick the meat from the bones. We use leftover roasted chicken in a variety of ways!
Here's how to make chicken stock.
My favorite roaster is here. I think you will love it!