Easy Juicy Roasted Chicken (2024)

Say hello to our go-to oven-roasted chicken recipe. This easy method for roasting a whole chicken guarantees perfectly roast chicken with golden brown skin and juicy, tender meat.

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I feel warm and fuzzy when I smell chicken roasting in the oven. It makes me think of home and my Mom. Our easy recipe for a roasted whole chicken results in the most delicious, tender meat.

I’m a big fan of roasting chicken. It’s a perfect chicken dinner with mashed potatoes and gravy. You can also use the leftovers for other dishes later in the week. I love using the bones to make bone broth and almost always make this easy chicken salad with the leftover meat for lunches the next day.

Key ingredients for roasted chicken

• Whole chicken: I like roasting chickens that are around 5 pounds. No worries if your chicken is smaller — your roasting time will be a bit less. For roasting turkey, see our garlic herb roast turkey!
• Salt & pepper: Be generous with your salt and pepper for the best roast chicken, and season outside of the chicken and inside the cavity.
• Onion & water: For the juiciest meat, roast your chicken on a bed of sliced onion and water (or chicken broth). We can also turn the juices left at the bottom of the baking into a delicious gravy!
• Optional aromatics: For even more flavor, stuff the cavity of your chicken with lemon wedges, a head of garlic cut in half, and fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary.

How to roast a whole chicken

Roasting a chicken is easy. Use any oven-safe pan when roasting chicken — a roasting pan with a rack, a large baking dish, a rimmed baking sheet, or an oven-safe skillet, like a cast iron pan, all work.

1. Pat chicken dry and generously season inside and out with salt and pepper. Stuff cavity with aromatics (optional).
2. Place the chicken, breast-side facing up, on a bed of sliced onions and a splash of water.
3. Roast in a 425° F (218° C) oven for 45 minutes to 1 ½ hours, depending on size. The chicken is done when an internal thermometer inserted into the meatiest part of the thigh reads 165° F (74° C).
4. Rest, slice, and serve.

⭐️ For more roasted chicken recipes, see our quick and easy pan roasted chicken breasts or this butterflied whole roast chicken.

Best oven temperature for roasting chicken

• For tender, fall-off-the-bone meat and soft skin, roast whole chicken at 325° F (162° C) for 1 ½ to 2 hours, depending on the weight.
• For firm, juicy meat and crisp, golden-brown skin, roast whole chicken 425° F (218° C) oven for 45 minutes to 1 ½ hours, depending on size.

The best temperature for roasting chicken depends on what you are looking for. Higher oven temperatures help with more crispy, golden-brown skin, while lower oven temperatures result in softer, fall-off-the-bone meat. We roasted the chicken in our photos in a baking dish at 425° F and love the golden brown skin.

How to tell when roast chicken is done

Roast chicken is ready to come out of the oven when an internal thermometer inserted into the meatiest part of the thigh reads 165° F (74° C). As a visual check, slice between the leg and thigh. The chicken is done if the juices run clear.

How to get crispy skin

For roasted chicken with crispy skin, before roasting in the oven, refrigerate the seasoned chicken, uncovered, overnight in the fridge. The night in the fridge dries out the skin and helps it to crisp in the oven the next day.

How to serve roasted chicken

With vegetables: For a classic roast chicken dinner serve with mashed potatoes or roasted potatoes and gravy. For extra veggies, I love sautéed cabbage, quick sautéed green beans, garlicky roasted Brussels sprouts, and these honey roasted carrots.

Turn it into a salad: Shred it and serve it with your favorite salads. I love this homemade Caesar salad or Greek salad. You can also turn it into a salad, like this creamy chicken salad.

Stir it into soup: Cube or shred it and stir it into our chicken noodle soup, chicken and vegetable soup, or this simple vegetable soup.

Make a quick lunch: One of my favorite ways to eat roasted chicken is with a slice of crusty bread, homemade hummus, crisp cucumbers, and a drizzle of tahini sauce.

Easy Juicy Roasted Chicken

Roasted chicken is the ultimate chicken dinner. Our method for roasting a whole chicken is easy and adaptable to what you love. We use a high temperature when roasting a chicken. The higher temperature (425° F) guarantees crispy, golden-brown skin and firm, juicy meat. If you prefer roasted chicken with much softer, fall-off-the-bone meat, roast at 325° F.

Makes approximately 4 servings

Nutrition Per Serving Calories 336 / Protein 46 g / Carbohydrate 5 g / Dietary Fiber 1 g / Total Sugars 1 g / Total Fat 14 g / Saturated Fat 4 g / Cholesterol 170 mg

AUTHOR: Adam and Joanne Gallagher