Perfect Roast Chicken: Sunday Dinner Made Easy

Nailed it! This baked whole chicken recipe delivers a juicy, flavourful roast, perfect for Sunday lunch. Crispy skin, succulent meat, and a gravy-worthy pan sauce! Get the recipe.

May 22, 2025
By Aidan Rivers.

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Alright, let's talk chicken!

Recipe Introduction

Quick Hook

Ever wondered how to get that perfect baked whole chicken ? I sure did! This recipe will show you how. It's all about that golden skin and juicy meat.

Brief Overview

Roast chicken is a classic comfort food. it's been around for ages! plus it is a cornerstone of many cultures.

Our version is easy and won't take all day. we are aiming for about 6 servings with an easy difficulty level.

Main Benefits

The best part? It's packed with protein. It's perfect for a weekend meal. What makes this recipe special is its simplicity. It delivers maximum flavor with minimum effort.

Wanna know something crazy? americans eat, like, a ton of chicken every year. i think it's something like 90 pounds per person.

That's wild! and let's be honest, sometimes i feel like i'm contributing to that statistic single-handedly. seriously, i love chicken.

Especially a good chicken thighs recipe .

Perfect Roast Chicken: Sunday Dinner Made Easy Recipe Card

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Preparation time:50 Mins

Cooking time:01 Hrs 15 Mins

Servings:4-6 servings

Ingredients:

• 1 whole chicken (about 3-4 lbs / 1.3-1.8 kg), giblets removed
• 2 tbsp (30 ml) olive oil
• 1 large lemon, halved
• 4 sprigs fresh rosemary
• 4 sprigs fresh thyme
• 2 cloves garlic, smashed
• 1 large onion, quartered
• 2 carrots, roughly chopped
• 2 celery stalks, roughly chopped
• 2 tsp (10 ml) kosher salt (or to taste)
• 1 tsp (5 ml) black pepper (or to taste)
• 1 cup (240 ml) chicken broth
• 2 tbsp (30 g) unsalted butter
• 2 tbsp (15 g) all-purpose flour

Instructions:

• Pat the chicken dry with paper towels. This is key for crispy skin.
• Rub the chicken inside and out with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
• Stuff the cavity with lemon halves, rosemary, thyme, and smashed garlic.
• Truss the chicken legs together with kitchen twine for even cooking (optional).
• Place onion, carrots, and celery in the bottom of the roasting pan. Place the roasting rack over the vegetables.
• Place the chicken on the roasting rack, breast side up.
• Roast in a preheated oven at 425°F (220°C) for 15 minutes.
• Reduce the oven temperature to 350°F (175°C) and continue roasting, basting with pan juices every 30 minutes.
• Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature in the thickest part of the thigh. It should reach 165°F (74°C).
• Remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for 15-20 minutes before carving. Tent loosely with foil.
• While the chicken rests, transfer the pan drippings and roasted vegetables to a saucepan. Discard the vegetables. Add butter and melt on medium heat, whisking to scrape all of the brown bits from the bottom of the pan. Add flour and whisk for 1-2 minutes. Add chicken broth and bring to a boil, whisking until the sauce has thickened. Strain before serving.
• Carve the chicken and serve with the pan sauce.

Let's Talk Ingredients

Okay, so here's what you'll need to make this magic happen.

• One whole baked chicken , about 3-4 lbs.
• Two tablespoons of olive oil.
• One lemon, halved.
• Fresh rosemary and thyme – about 4 sprigs of each.
• Two smashed garlic cloves.
• One quartered onion.
• Two roughly chopped carrots.
• Two roughly chopped celery stalks.
• Kosher salt and black pepper to taste.
• One cup of chicken broth.
• Two tablespoons each of butter and all-purpose flour.

You might be thinking, "oh my gosh, that sounds like a lot!" but trust me, it's mostly stuff you probably already have.

And the payoff is huge. you want that perfect, succulent roast chicken thighs boneless , right? gotta put in a little bit of effort, but i promise it's worth it.

Now, listen up. the key to an amazing baked skinless chicken thighs and baked boneless skinless chicken thighs is all in the details.

Don't skimp on the fresh herbs. and please , for the love of all that is holy, don't forget to dry that chicken really well before you start.

That's how you get that beautiful, crispy skin.

Honestly, the first time i tried this recipe, i almost messed it up because i forgot to dry the chicken.

It was still good, but not amazing . so learn from my mistakes, people!

Getting Started

Now, for the exciting part. preheat that oven to 425° f. we are going for that golden perfection, that best roasted chicken!.

Then prepare the roasting pan. place those veggies at the bottom. this is where the magic happens! remember temperature is key.

Make sure the internal temperature reads 165° f. rest the chicken for the juiciest meat.

Let's get cooking and dive into the best oven roasted whole chicken recipe!

Alright, mate! Let's talk ingredients for the best baked whole chicken you've ever made. I promise, it’s easier than you think! We're not talking fancy pants stuff here. Just good, honest grub.

Ingredients & Equipment

Main Ingredients

Alright, pay attention. you'll need one whole chicken , about 3-4 lbs (1.3-1.8 kg) . make sure you pull out the giblets! nobody wants that surprise.

You need 2 tbsp (30 ml) olive oil . good olive oil makes a difference, honestly. i like to check to see if the chicken skin is still moist and not slimy.

Also have 1 large lemon, and halve it. don't forget 4 sprigs fresh rosemary and 4 sprigs fresh thyme .

Next, grab 2 cloves garlic , smashed (not minced!). keep ready 1 large onion, quartered. also, grab 2 carrots, roughly chopped.

And lastly, 2 celery stalks, roughly chopped. for seasoning, you will need 2 tsp (10 ml) kosher salt . to taste, really.

And of course, 1 tsp (5 ml) black pepper . the last 2 ingredients are 1 cup (240 ml) chicken broth and 2 tbsp (30 g) unsalted butter .

Plus, last but not least, 2 tbsp (15 g) all-purpose flour .

Seasoning Notes

Garlic, rosemary, and thyme are a match made in heaven. they just work . for a bit of zing, try adding some lemon zest to your herbs.

A touch of paprika can enhance the color and add a smoky flavor. if you’re out of rosemary, thyme works just fine on its own.

Or even sage! i love experimenting.

Equipment Needed

You’ll definitely need a roasting pan with a rack. that rack is essential. also, a meat thermometer is your best friend.

Honestly, 165° f ( 74° c) is the magic number for safely cooked chicken. it’s a lifesaver! some kitchen twine.

This keeps the chicken thighs boneless and cooks evenly. trussing is optional, but it helps.

Baked skinless chicken thighs are a great alternative for a quick meal. they still benefit from these flavor combos! did you know that roasting a whole chicken saves money? seriously! plus, you can make stock from the carcass.

Don't let anything go to waste!

For my thighs recipe , i recommend bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs . if you are in a hurry, you can use baked boneless skinless chicken thighs as a quick option.

A perfect pairing for thigh recipes baked in the oven. just be sure to keep an eye on it and avoid overcooking.

These will be delicious and clean and delicious .

So there you have it. all the bits and bobs you need for a truly amazing roast. now, let's get cooking! and remember, don't be scared to mess up.

That's how you learn! this is all you need for an amazing baked whole chicken

Here's a section of your article, all about how to nail that baked whole chicken , and some other yummy chicken thigh options!

Cooking Method: Roast Chicken Perfection

Honestly, who doesn't love a good roast chicken? it's classic comfort food! there's something so satisfying about a perfectly baked whole chicken , crispy skin and all.

It makes you think of family gatherings, sunday dinner, and maybe even that time your grandma tried to teach you how to cook! but getting it right can be tricky.

Let's break it down, step-by-step.

Prep Like a Pro

• Essential Mise en Place: First things first, get your chicken ready. Take it out of the fridge, pat it dry with paper towels. This is super important! You want crispy skin, right? Don't skip this step. Then, gather your ingredients: olive oil, lemon, herbs, garlic, onion, carrots, celery, salt, pepper, chicken broth, butter, and flour.
• Time-Saving Organization Tips: Chop all your veggies before you even touch the chicken. Trust me, it makes things way easier. Think of it as your pre-game ritual. Thirty minutes of resting time before cooking helps the spices soak in.
• Safety Reminders: Always wash your hands after handling raw chicken! No exceptions. Food poisoning is not fun. Also, make sure your cutting board is clean.

Roast Chicken Step-by-Step

1. Prepare the Chicken: Pat that bird dry! Seriously.
2. Season Like You Mean It: Rub the chicken inside and out with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Don't be shy!
3. Stuff That Bird: Shove those lemon halves, rosemary, thyme, and smashed garlic into the cavity.
4. Veggie Bed: Place onion, carrots, and celery in the roasting pan. It elevates the chicken
5. Position the Chicken: Place the chicken on the rack, breast side up.
6. Initial Blast: Roast at 425° F ( 220° C) for 15 minutes .
7. Reduce Heat & Roast: Reduce heat to 350° F ( 175° C) and continue roasting, basting every 30 minutes .
8. Check Temperature: Use a meat thermometer! It needs to hit 165° F ( 74° C) in the thigh.

Pro Tips for Seriously Good Chicken

• Dry Brine Magic: Salt the chicken a day or two ahead. Let it sit uncovered in the fridge. You'll be amazed at the crispy skin!
• Don't Overcook! Use a meat thermometer, seriously! Overcooked chicken is dry and sad.
• Make-Ahead Options: You can prep the chicken (pat it dry, season it) a day in advance. Just keep it covered in the fridge. This also works if you're looking for something quick. Baked Skinless Chicken Thighs or Baked Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs are ready in a snap.

Chicken Thigh Obsession

Speaking of quick, let's talk chicken thighs boneless . They're so juicy and flavorful, and way more forgiving than chicken breasts. I'm obsessed!

You know, sometimes you just don't have time for a whole chicken. that's where thigh recipes baked come in! my go-to is a simple chicken thighs recipe .

Just toss them with olive oil, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper, and bake at 400° f ( 200° c) for about 25- 30 minutes , or until they reach 165° f ( 74° c) .

Easy peasy! it's so clean and delicious !

And if you need a thighs recipe , then chicken thigh recipes oven are always a good shout. my personal favorite is the boneless chicken thigh recipes i mentioned.

For me, a simple roast like this is always the best roasted chicken .

Honestly, whether you're tackling a whole baked chicken or sticking with chicken recipes oven , the key is to have fun and not be afraid to experiment! this ain't makanan cepat saji this is loving work.

So, get in the kitchen and get cooking! you've got this! and hey, a baked whole chicken recipes selection is always a win in my book.

Just remember those tips, and soon you will make a great oven roasted whole chicken . then you will be able to taste the whole baked chicken !

Alright, let's chat more about this awesome baked whole chicken recipe. think of these as extra tips and tricks. i learned these over years of sunday roasts! honestly, some were from total kitchen disasters.

But hey, we all learn that way, right?

Recipe Notes

These are a few things to consider when roasting chicken.

Serving Suggestions: Presentation and Sides!

Want to impress your mates? presentation matters! after resting, a whole baked chicken looks amazing on a platter. garnish with extra fresh herbs.

Think rosemary or thyme sprigs. slice it up and arrange it nicely. i like to add a bowl of pan sauce, too.

Don't forget classic sides. roasted potatoes are a must. yorkshire puddings? absolute perfection. for veggies, go with steamed green beans or roasted brussels sprouts.

Honestly, chicken thighs boneless , and baked skinless chicken thighs would go very well together.

Complementary beverages? A crisp white wine. Maybe a Pinot Grigio, would pair perfectly. Or, a light-bodied red like Beaujolais. If you’re keeping it casual, a hard cider will do the trick!

Storage Savvy: Keep that Chicken Fresh!

Got leftovers? You’re in luck! This Chicken Thighs Recipe is even better the next day!

Refrigeration: store carved chicken in an airtight container. it'll keep in the fridge for 3-4 days . always refrigerate promptly. don’t leave it sitting out at room temperature for more than 2 hours .

Freezing: freezing is an option, too. shred the oven roasted whole chicken and pack it in freezer bags. remove as much air as possible.

It can last for 2-3 months in the freezer.

Reheating: Reheat gently! Use the microwave or the oven. Add a splash of chicken broth. It helps keep it moist. For frozen Whole Baked Chicken , thaw in the fridge overnight.

Remix Time: Variations for Every Diet!

Let's tweak this Thigh Recipes Baked recipe to fit your needs!

Dietary adaptations: going gluten-free? use a gluten-free flour blend for the pan sauce. ditch the yorkshire puddings. try mashed cauliflower instead.

For a lower-carb version, skip the potatoes. load up on extra green veggies. use baked boneless skinless chicken thighs for a lighter meal.

Seasonal Swaps: In the fall, add roasted root vegetables to the pan. Think carrots, parsnips, and sweet potatoes. During summer, add lemon slices and bell peppers into the baking pan.

Quick Nutrition Breakdown

Alright, here's the skinny on the baked whole chicken . one serving clocks in around 450 calories. you're getting about 50g of protein.

Fat is around 25g. carbs are low, around 5g. and sodium? roughly 600mg. remember, these are just estimates. it all depends on your portion size.

And those glorious sides you choose.

This Chicken Thigh Recipes Oven is a great source of protein. Protein is vital for muscle health. Plus, it is packed with essential nutrients. The veggies add fiber and vitamins.

So, there you have it! all the secrets to nailing this recipe. don't be scared to experiment. cooking should be fun! now go ahead and make this best roasted chicken dish.

And remember how to roast chicken should always be simple. you got this. enjoy! makanan cepat saji or not, you're gonna love this!