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Weekend • Chicken

Zesty Lemon Herb Roast Chicken

This simple yet incredibly flavorful roast chicken recipe yields tender, juicy meat with crisp skin, infused with bright lemon and fragrant herbs.

Prep
15 min
Cook
75 min
Servings
4
Level
Weekend
Zesty Lemon Herb Roast Chicken

There's nothing quite like a perfectly roasted chicken, and this Zesty Lemon Herb Roast Chicken is as simple as it is satisfying! With just a few ingredients, you'll transform an ordinary chicken into a show-stopping meal that’s wonderfully juicy, incredibly aromatic, and surprisingly easy to achieve.

Ingredients

Yield: 4 servings

Main

  • 1 (3-4 lb) whole chicken
  • 1 large lemon, halved
  • 4-5 sprigs fresh rosemary
  • 4-5 sprigs fresh thyme
  • 4 cloves garlic, smashed
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • Optional: 1 lb small potatoes or carrots, roughly chopped

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Remove chicken from packaging and pat thoroughly dry with paper towels (this helps with crispy skin!).

  2. Step 2

    In a small bowl, combine olive oil, salt, and pepper. Rub this mixture all over the chicken, including under the skin if desired. If using, place chopped potatoes or carrots around the bottom of the roasting pan.

  3. Step 3

    Stuff the chicken cavity with one lemon half, fresh rosemary, fresh thyme, and smashed garlic cloves. Place the remaining lemon half in the roasting pan with the chicken.

  4. Step 4

    Place the chicken in a roasting pan or large oven-safe dish. Roast for 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) in the thickest part of the thigh, not touching the bone, and the juices run clear. Baste occasionally with pan drippings if desired.

  5. Step 5

    Once cooked, remove the chicken from the oven. Tent loosely with foil and let rest for 10-15 minutes before carving. This allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring a tender and juicy bird. Serve with the roasted vegetables and pan juices.

Tips

  • Patting the chicken *very* dry is the secret to crispy skin.
  • Don't skip the resting step; it's crucial for juicy chicken.
  • If you notice the skin browning too quickly, you can tent the chicken loosely with foil for the remainder of the cooking time.

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