Juicy & Flavorful: Mastering the Art of Whole Roasted Chicken Recipe
Learn how to make a juicy and flavorful whole roasted chicken with this easy-to-follow recipe. Seasoned with a blend of spices and slow-roasted at a low temperature, this method yields tender meat with perfectly browned, crispy skin.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 hours
- Total Time: 5 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 4-6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Whole Chicken
- 1 whole small chicken (about 4–5 lbs, cleaned of giblets)
Seasoning
- 4 teaspoons salt
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon white pepper
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
Other
- ¼ cup room temperature butter
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Seasoning: Preheat your oven to 250°F (120°C). In a small bowl, combine salt, paprika, onion powder, dried thyme, white pepper, cayenne pepper, black pepper, and garlic powder. Mix these dry ingredients well and set aside.
- Prepare the Chicken: Rinse the whole chicken thoroughly and pat it dry to remove all moisture. Place the chicken in a roasting pan. If desired, stuff the chicken with stuffing, though this is optional.
- Apply Butter and Seasoning: Rub the room temperature butter evenly all over the entire chicken. Then sprinkle the prepared spice mixture evenly over the chicken, ensuring full coverage.
- Roast the Chicken: Place the seasoned chicken in the oven at 250°F. Roast slowly for approximately 5 hours, periodically checking the internal temperature with a meat thermometer to ensure it reaches at least 160°F (71°C) to guarantee doneness and juiciness.
- Turn and Baste Regularly: Every hour during roasting, turn the roasting pan to promote even cooking. After 2 hours, begin basting the chicken with pan juices every hour, gently brushing the skin to develop an even, golden-brown color and enhance flavor and moisture.
Notes
- Ensure the chicken is fully thawed before cooking.
- Use a meat thermometer to verify the internal temperature reaches a safe minimum of 160°F; the food will rest and rise to about 165°F afterward.
- Adjust seasoning quantities according to your taste preferences.
- Slow roasting at low temperature helps retain moisture and tenderizes the meat effectively.
- Basting enhances the flavor and promotes even browning but avoid opening the oven too frequently to maintain temperature.
Keywords: whole roasted chicken, slow roast chicken, juicy roast chicken, flavorful chicken recipe, oven roasted chicken
