Home > Main Course > Juicy Roast Chicken Recipe (VIDEO)

November 6, 2020

Juicy Roast Chicken Recipe (VIDEO)

Name: Juicy Roast Chicken Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 80 min
Total time: 110 min
Ingredients: 6 Yukon gold potatoes (peeled and quartered (or 8 red potatoes)); 2 large carrots (peeled and cut into 1” pieces); 1 medium onion (chopped into 1” pieces); 1 head of garlic (cut in half parallel to the base, divided); 4 sprigs rosemary (divided); 1 Tbsp olive oil; 1/2 tsp salt; 1/4 tsp black pepper; 5 1/2 lb whole chicken (giblets removed, patted dry); 2 1/2 tsp salt (divided (1/2 tsp for inside, 2 tsp for outside)); 3/4 tsp pepper (divided (1/4 for inside, 1/2 for outside)); 2 Tbsp unsalted butter (melted); 1 lemon (halved)

This homemade Roast Chicken is the perfect dinner. There’s nothing like the aroma of a chicken roasting in the oven. You’ll love the crisp, salty skin and juicy center.

Watch the video tutorial and see how easy it is to bake a whole chicken.

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We love chicken recipes from Instant Pot Whole Chicken to Spatchcock Chicken. If you are a fan of chicken dinners, this Roasted Chicken is a must-try!

How to Roast Chicken Video Tutorial:

Homemade Roasted Chicken is something every cook should master and our method produces the juiciest chicken breast you’ll bite into. You’ll love how easy this is and it’s amazing how butter, salt, and pepper can create so much flavor. Plus, roasting the chicken with vegetables makes this a one-pan meal.

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Why You Should Roast Your Own Chicken:

Roasting a whole chicken is easy with minimal prep since there’s no need to marinate or brine ahead. You don’t need any fancy equipment, just a roasting pan. A freshly roasted chicken is no match for a store-bought one that has been sitting under a heat lamp for some time.

There’s something about roasting a whole chicken that will make you feel like a chef. The presentation and flavor will impress your family.

Juicy chicken breast of oven-baked chicken

How to Pick a Good Chicken:

Visual Cues: Look for chicken with pink-colored meat and avoid any chicken that has any hint of grayish coloring which indicates spoilage.
Check the Date: Use Chicken before the use-by date on the package.
Air chilled chicken – a method for cooling chickens that produces the best flavor.
Organic and Free Range – another indicator of a good quality chicken.

Chicken Roasting Time Chart:

For reference, these are the chicken sizes we have experimented with. We always recommend using an instant thermometer to double-check that it reaches a safe 165˚F.

5 lb Chicken roast for about 75 minutes at 425˚F
5 1/2 lb Chicken – roast for about 80 minutes at 425˚F
6 lb chicken – roast for about 90 minutes at 425˚F

If your Chicken is Browning too Much: We make a small triangle-shaped foil shield to place over the chicken after the first 30 minutes of roasting. This keeps the chicken from browning too quickly and ensures a juicy chicken breast. We use this same trick to make our Juicy Roast Turkey.

How do I Check Roast Chicken for Doneness?

Internal Temperature: Use an oven-safe thermometer while the chicken roasts, or insert an instant thermometer into the deepest part of the thigh (without touching bone) and it should register at 165˚F when done.

Juices Run Clear: If you don’t have a thermometer, use a small knife to cut between the leg and thigh going all the way to the bone and you should see the juices run clear.

Prepared chicken and vegetables in roasting pan ready to go into the oven

Common Questions:

What is the best roasting pan for chicken?

We use a 10×15 cast iron roasting pan. You can also use a rimmed baking sheet or a large oven-safe skillet, preferably a heavy cast iron pan.

Can I use a roasting pan with a rack?

You can roast with or without a rack. A pan with a rack allows air to circulate under the chicken and helps the skin to crisp and brown all over. Add the vegetables under the rack if using.

Do I have to tie the chicken legs?

Tying or trussing the chicken with kitchen twine is optional and will make for a nicer presentation.

Can I roast frozen chicken?

A frozen whole chicken should be fully thawed (about 24 hours) in the refrigerator.

If your oven is smoking:

Some ovens get smoky at higher temperatures. If yours does, reduce the heat to 400˚F and cook an extra 10-20 minutes.

Can I use an instant pot?

Using a pressure cooker is the fastest way to cook a whole chicken. Check out our instant pot chicken tutorial.

What is the Best Oven Rack Position?

Arrange the rack in the lower third of the oven so the chicken is sitting exactly in the center.

Love a Crisp Chicken Skin? If you prefer crispy skin, let your chicken rest without tenting. Otherwise, the steam under the foil will soften the chicken skin.

What to serve with Roast Chicken:

Because this is essentially a meal in itself, we love to serve roast chicken as the main course. To complete your chicken dinner, pair it with these sides:

Mushroom Gravy – our easiest gravy recipe or make gravy from the chicken pan drippings like we did our Turkey Gravy.
Dinner Rolls – complete the meal with fluffy rolls
Caesar Salad – a fresh green salad with homemade dressing

Roasted chicken dinner on serving platter served with roasted vegetables

Make-Ahead Tips:

Prepping the Chicken: You can stuff, butter and season your chicken a day ahead then cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to roast.
Prepping the Vegetables: Since potatoes can discolor once they are peeled, it is best to cut and season the veggies just before roasting.

More Chicken Recipes to Try:

If you love this Roasted Chicken, then you won’t want to miss these reader-favorite chicken recipes.

Chicken Parmesan – we will never stop loving this classic
Chicken Marsala – a homemade restaurant favorite
General Tso’s Chicken – even better than takeout
Chicken Piccata – easy, one-pan chicken recipe
Air Fryer Chicken Wings – super crispy
Chicken Fettuccini Alfredo – my Mom’s recipe

Juicy Roast Chicken Recipe

4.95 from 17 votes

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour 20 minutes

Resting Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes

Whole Roast Chicken on a platter with vegetables

There’s nothing like homemade Roast Chicken. This is a one-pan chicken dinner and you’ll love our tip for the juiciest chicken breast.

Author: Natasha Kravchuk

Skill Level: Easy

Cost to Make: $8-$10

Keyword: roast chicken

Cuisine: American

Course: Main Course

Calories: 478 kcal

Servings: 8 people

Ingredients

For the Roasted Vegetables:

6 Yukon gold potatoes peeled and quartered (or 8 red potatoes)
2 large carrots peeled and cut into 1” pieces
1 medium onion chopped into 1” pieces
1 head of garlic cut in half parallel to the base, divided
4 sprigs rosemary divided
1 Tbsp olive oil
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper

For the Roast Chicken:

5 1/2 lb whole chicken giblets removed, patted dry
2 1/2 tsp salt divided (1/2 tsp for inside, 2 tsp for outside)
3/4 tsp pepper divided (1/4 for inside, 1/2 for outside)
2 Tbsp unsalted butter melted
1 lemon halved

Instructions

Place chopped potatoes, carrots, onion, half of a head of garlic, and 2 sprigs of rosemary in a mixing bowl. Drizzle with 1 Tbsp olive oil and season with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper.
Place chicken in a roasting pan. Remove giblets from chicken and pat dry inside and outside with paper towels. Season inside the chicken with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Stuff the chicken with 1/2 of the garlic head, 2 lemon halves, and 2 sprigs of rosemary.
Melt 2 Tbsp of butter. Brush the chicken all over the top and sides with melted butter then season all over with 2 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
Tie the legs together and tuck the wings under the bird. Spread veggies around the chicken. Roast in the oven uncovered at 425˚F for 80 to 90 minutes (depending on size of chicken*) until internal temperature of the thigh reaches 165˚F or until the juices run clear when you cut into the thigh.
Transfer chicken and veggies to a platter, tent with foil, and let rest at least 15 minutes before slicing and serving.

Recipe Notes

Roasting Time Estimates: 5 lb Chicken = 75 minutes. 5 1/2 lb Chicken = 80 minutes 6 lb chicken = 90 minutes

Nutrition Facts

Juicy Roast Chicken Recipe

Amount Per Serving

Calories 478 Calories from Fat 243

% Daily Value*

Fat 27g42%

Saturated Fat 9g56%

Cholesterol 120mg40%

Sodium 996mg43%

Potassium 907mg26%

Carbohydrates 27g9%

Fiber 4g17%

Sugar 3g3%

Protein 31g62%

Vitamin A 2861IU57%

Vitamin C 37mg45%

Calcium 45mg5%

Iron 3mg17%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Nutrition Disclosure

Natasha Kravchuk

Welcome to my kitchen! I am Natasha, the blogger behind Natasha's Kitchen (since 2009). My husband and I run this blog together and share only our best, family approved and tested recipes with YOU. Thanks for stopping by! We are so happy you're here.