Basic Whole Roast Chicken

(from castro15’s recipe box)

Categories: Chicken

Ingredients

  • 2 tbsp. unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 tbsp. chopped fresh herbs, such as sage, rosemary, and/or thyme, divided
  • 1 tsp kosher salt, divided
  • 3/4 tsp black pepper
  • 4-5 lb. whole chicken
  • 1 small lemon, halved crosswise
  • 1 medium head garlic, halved crosswise
  • 3 medium carrots, cut into 3-inch pieces
  • 3 stalks celery, cut into 3-inch pieces
  • 1 large onion, thinly sliced

Directions

  1. Position rack in the bottom third of oven; preheat to 375.

  2. Combine butter, 1 tbsp. herbs, 1/2 tsp salt and pepper in a small bowl. Remove giblets from chicken and reserve for another use. Loosen and lift the skin from the breast with your fingers and spread the butter mixture under it, starting at the neck end. Place lemon and garlic in the cavity. Tie the legs together with kitchen string. Place carrots, celery and onion in a large broiler-safe pot. Place the chicken breast-side up on the vegetables and put the lid on.

  3. Roast the chicken for 1 hour. Increase oven temp to broil. Uncover and broil until golden brown and cooked through, 6-10 minutes.

  4. Transfer the chicken to a clean cutting board and let stand for 15 minutes before carving. Serve sprinkled with the remaining 1 tbsp. herbs and 1/2 tsp salt.

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