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The Best Easy Oven Roasted Whole Chicken for Juicy Meat and Crispy Skin

A beautifully roasted whole chicken with dark, crispy, seasoned skin resting on a white plate.
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You need a reliable recipe for a whole roasted chicken that delivers unbelievably juicy meat and shatteringly crispy skin every time. This simple oven roast chicken method is perfect for your next family dinner or Sunday roast.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 whole chicken (about 4–5 lbs)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
  • 4 cloves garlic, smashed
  • 1 lemon, halved

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Remove the giblets from the whole chicken cavity and pat the entire chicken dry, inside and out, using paper towels. This step is key for crispy skin.
  2. In a small bowl, mix the kosher salt, black pepper, dried thyme, and dried rosemary.
  3. Rub the olive oil all over the exterior of the chicken. Sprinkle the herb and salt mixture evenly over the skin. Gently rub the seasoning into the skin.
  4. Place the smashed garlic cloves and the lemon halves inside the chicken cavity.
  5. Place the seasoned chicken breast-side up in a roasting pan or a cast-iron skillet.
  6. Roast the whole chicken at 425°F (220°C) for 15 minutes to start crisping the skin.
  7. Reduce the oven temperature to 375°F (190°C). Continue roasting for another 50-70 minutes, or until a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh registers 165°F (74°C).
  8. Remove the oven roasted chicken from the oven. Let it rest, tented loosely with foil, for 15 minutes before carving. This resting period keeps the meat juicy.
  9. Carve and serve your simple roast chicken immediately.

Notes

  • For extra crispy skin, you can place the chicken on a wire rack set inside the roasting pan.
  • If you prefer a garlic chicken recipe flavor, you can stuff minced garlic directly under the skin over the breast meat.
  • This recipe works well for weeknight chicken dinner preparation if you start early.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://cookingbyfelix.com/easy-whole-chicken-recipe-juicy-crispy-skin/