This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through links on our site, we may earn a commission.
Learn How to Roast a Chicken and save money while making a delicious roasted whole chicken. This is super easy and much cheaper than purchasing the ready made whole chickens at the grocery store.
How to Roast a Chicken:
Today we are learning How to Roast a Chicken. Don’t pay double the price of a roasted chicken when you are buying them precooked in the deli.
Instead, take a few minutes to make it yourself. Next time chicken is marked down low, snag it and roast your own delicious chicken.
Knowing how to cook basic recipes such as this roast whole chicken recipe will save you money and allow your family to eat really amazing food.
I try to keep a couple of whole chickens in the freezer whenever I spot a sale. If they are already at your house, it makes all of this even easier.
If you love whole chickens for dinner, you will love our recipe for rotisserie chicken.
Ingredients
- Whole Chicken
- Garlic Cloves
- Rosemary
- Kosher Salt
- Ground Black Pepper
- Olive Oil
How to Roast a Whole Chicken:
- Step 1 – Do a Salt Brine – Before you are ready to roast your chicken there are two ways to infuse it with flavor and I like to do both so it is flavorful, tender and moist. The first thing you want to do is a salt brine.
- Step 2 – Add chicken to water and salt – Place your chicken in a large pot or bowl, cover with water and add ½ cup of kosher salt. Place in refrigerator and allow it to sit for 1 to 4 hours.
- Step 3 – Remove Chicken – Remove chicken from salt water and rinse thoroughly, pat dry with a paper towel.
- Step 4 – Cover in Homemade Rub – Now the next step for a perfect homemade roast chicken is to cover it in a homemade rub.
- Step 5 – Combine homemade rub ingredients – In a small bowl combine the ingredients well for the rub. Now, rub it allover the outside of your bird.
- Step 6 – Homemade Rub Ingredients – Thoroughly combine the garlic, rosemary, salt, pepper and oil.
- Step 7 – Rub on Chicken – After you have combined all the ingredients rub these seasoning all of the chicken.
- Step 8 – Place chicken in roasted pan – When placing in the roasting pan you can put your chicken breast up or down. I prefer down because it makes for a more tender and moist breast meat which is our favorite part.
- Step 9 – Place in the Oven – Place chicken in roasting pan and place in preheated oven at 350°.
How Long to Roast a Chicken:
Roast for 20 minutes for each pound plus 15 extra minutes. For example mine was just shy of 4 lbs. So I left it in for 1 hour and 30 minutes.
Just keep in mind roast chicken cooking times will vary depending on the size of your chicken. While the chicken is cooking the juices will run into the pan so you can make gravy.
Roast Chicken Temperature:
To assure your chicken is done place a meat thermometer into inner thigh – poultry should be at 165° F when it is done. Try not to let it go over this cooking time.
Because when you remove chicken from oven it will continue to cook a little, and you don’t want it dried out.
It really does not take long not that you know how long to bake a whole chicken.
How to Carve a Roasted Chicken:
Let your chicken rest for 10-15 minutes before carving on a cutting board. This is super important so try not to rush and skip this step.
Now, see this delicious chicken drippings in the pan? Keep those, we are going to make homemade chicken gravy.
- Begin by using a knife and cut off the drumsticks.
- Then cut the thighs off the chicken. This is the dark meat.
- Cut the wings from the chicken. Then remove the breast from the chicken after cutting it. You can cut as a whole breast and then slice. Or you can slice the breast directly on the chicken.
Tips for Roasted Chicken Recipe:
- Season Well – We recommend seasoning the bird on the outside and the inside the cavity. The seasoning can be simple and we recommend using what you have. Feel free to season with fresh herbs.
- Add fat – When we are seasoning the chicken, make sure that you are using an oil or butter. Get under the skin of the chicken to really give the texture a golden brown tint. This allows the skin to be extra crispy.
- Stuff the Chicken – Feel free to stuff the bird with vegetables. There are many that you can choose from. I like to use what I have on hand.
- Roasting Chicken – We roasted our chicken at 350 degrees, but you can definitely roast at a higher temperature. This allows for the skin extra crispy.
- Cooking Chicken – Make sure to not overcook chicken. If this chicken is cooked to long than it cook dry out. Remember cooking times will vary, but you want to cook the chicken for about 15 minutes for every pound the chicken is.
- Covering Chicken – There is no need to cover the chicken with aluminum foil.
- Thaw Chicken – Make sure you thaw chicken if frozen when you bought it.
- Allow Chicken to Rest – Make sure to allow you chicken to rest after roasting. This locks in the juices and keep it from drying out.
- Crock Pot Chicken Stock – Make Chicken Stock with the chicken carcass.
Recipe Variations:
- Change the Seasoning – Change the seasoning to fresh herbs. We recommend thyme, oregano, parsley and tarragon. Smoked paprika and cumin is also good options.
- Stuff the Cavity – Add vegetables to the chicken’s cavity if you prefer. We suggest lemon, onion, celery, carrots, and fresh herbs.
- Butter the Chicken – We used oil in this recipe, but you can also rub butter over all the chicken. Get underneath the skin for added flavor and crispy skin.
What goes Well with Roast Chicken?
There are many different sides you can serve with roasted chicken. This chicken would be perfect for a weekend meal or to make for a holiday dinner. Add one or two of these sides for a complete meal idea.
- Delicious Roasted Green Beans
- Crock Pot Cheesy Potato Casserole Recipe
- Easy Roasted Asparagus Recipe
- How to Steam Broccoli in the Microwave
- Rosemary Roasted Potatoes
- Check out 28 Best Rotisserie Chicken Sides to get more ideas.
How to Store Leftovers:
After carving your chicken, place the leftover chicken in an air tight container. Place in the fridge and it will stay good for about 4 days.
You can also freeze the leftover chicken. Place in a freezer safe container and freeze for up to 3 months.
Thaw overnight in the refrigerator when ready to serve.
Print this Simple Roast Chicken Recipe below:
How to Roast a Chicken
Ingredients
- In a small bowl combine these ingredients well:
- 6 garlic cloves crushed
- 1 Tbsp. rosemary
- 1 tsp. Kosher salt
- 2 tsp. Ground black pepper
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 1 whole chicken
Instructions
- Before you are ready to roast your chicken there are two ways to infuse it with flavor and I like to do both so it is flavorful, tender and moist. The first thing you want to do is a salt brine.
- Place your chicken in a large pot or bowl, cover with water and add ½ cup of kosher salt. Place in refrigerator and allow it to sit for 1 to 4 hours.
- Remove chicken from salt water and rinse thoroughly, pat dry with a paper towel.
- Now the next step for a perfect homemade roast chicken is to cover it in a homemade rub.
- In a small bowl combine the ingredients and rub it allover the outside of your bird.
- When placing in the roasting pan you can put your chicken breast up or down, I prefer down because it makes for a more tender and moist breast meat which is our favorite part.
- Place chicken in roasting pan and place in oven preheated to 350°.
- Roast for 20 minutes for each pound plus 15 extra minutes. For example mine was just shy of 4 lbs. So I left it in for 1 hour and 35 minutes.
- To assure your chicken is done place a meat thermometer into inner thigh – poultry should be at 165° F when it is done. Try not to let it get over this because when you remove chicken form oven it will continue to cook a little, and you don’t want it dried out.
- Let your chicken rest for 10-15 minutes before carving.
Nutrition Facts
How to Use Leftover Roasted Chicken:
- Easy Crock Pot Chicken and Dumplings Recipe
- Crockpot Chicken Pot Pie Recipe
- Crockpot Chicken and Stuffing Recipe
- Crockpot Chicken Quesadillas Recipe
More Easy Roasted Recipes
This is an open one.
Is this a covered roasting pan or open?
The rub ingredients are listed in the recipe: garlic, rosemary, kosher salt and the olive oil.
What is in the rub ? What Ingredients