Lemon Garlic Herb Roasted Chicken
(A Foolproof One-Pan Classic)
KEY INFO
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
Servings: 4-6
Difficulty: Moderate
Dietary: Gluten-free, Low-carb, Whole30-compatible
EQUIPMENT NEEDED
- Large oven-safe skillet or roasting pan
- Kitchen twine
- Meat thermometer
- Sharp knife and cutting board
- Paper towels
(Alternative: Any deep baking dish will work)
INGREDIENTS
For the Chicken:
- 1 whole chicken (4-5 lbs/1.8-2.3 kg)
- 2 lemons (1 sliced, 1 zested and juiced)
- 6 garlic cloves, crushed
- 3 tablespoons (45ml) olive oil
- 2 tablespoons (30g) unsalted butter, softened
(Sub: ghee for dairy-free)
Fresh Herbs:
- 4 sprigs fresh rosemary
- 6 sprigs fresh thyme
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
(Sub: 1 tablespoon dried herbs per 3 tablespoons fresh)
Seasonings:
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
METHOD
- Preheat oven to 425°F/220°C.
- Pat chicken completely dry with paper towels
(Critical for crispy skin). - Mix softened butter, lemon zest, chopped herbs, salt, and pepper in a small bowl.
- Gently loosen chicken skin without tearing it.
Carefully slide herb butter mixture under the skin. - Stuff cavity with:
- Lemon slices
- Garlic cloves
- Whole herb sprigs
- Truss chicken legs with kitchen twine. Tuck wing tips behind back.
- Rub outside with olive oil and remaining seasonings.
- Place chicken breast-side up in roasting pan.
- Roast for 1 hour 15 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 165°F/74°C at thickest part of thigh.
- Rest for 15-20 minutes before carving.
CRUCIAL TIPS
- Room temperature chicken before roasting
- Don’t skip drying the skin
- Baste every 20 minutes with pan juices
- Check temperature at both breast and thigh
- Don’t cut into chicken immediately after cooking
STORAGE & VARIATIONS
Storage:
- Refrigerate up to 4 days
- Freeze up to 3 months
Scaling:
- Double herbs/seasonings for larger birds
- Adjust cooking time: 20 minutes per pound
Common Mistakes:
- Opening oven too frequently
- Not trussing the legs
- Skipping the resting period
Variations:
- Mediterranean: Add oregano and olives
- Provençal: Include herbes de Provence
- Citrus: Mix in orange zest and segments
The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity – just good ingredients treated well. Master these fundamentals and you’ll never need another roast chicken recipe again.
