Description
This Holiday Roasted Chicken recipe offers a succulent and flavorful whole chicken infused with roasted garlic, fresh rosemary, lemon, and butter. Perfect for festive gatherings, the chicken is oven-roasted to a juicy, tender perfection with a crispy, golden skin and aromatic herbs that enhance every bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasoning
- 5 Pounds whole chicken
- 1 Teaspoon sea salt (or kosher salt)
- 1 Teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
- 4 Sprigs fresh rosemary
- 3 bay leaves
Roasted Garlic Butter
- 1 Bulb garlic
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- ½ Cup butter (softened)
Cavity Stuffing
- 1 White onion (peeled and quartered)
- 1 Lemon (sliced or wedged)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F to prepare for roasting the chicken and garlic.
- Roast Garlic: Cut one end off the garlic bulb, place it in foil, drizzle with olive oil and sea salt, seal tightly, and roast for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, bring the chicken and butter to room temperature.
- Prepare Garlic Butter: Remove the roasted garlic from the foil, separate the cloves, and combine half of them with the softened butter, blending until smooth.
- Butter the Chicken: Brush the entire chicken with the garlic butter mixture. Place the remaining roasted garlic cloves, rosemary sprigs, lemon wedges, and onion inside the chicken cavity. Tie the chicken legs together to secure the stuffing.
- Season Chicken: Season the chicken’s exterior with salt, freshly cracked black pepper, and additional rosemary. Place the chicken on a roasting pan positioned on the center rack of the oven.
- Roast Chicken: Roast uncovered for 1 hour at 400°F. Then, cover the chicken lightly with foil and continue cooking for an additional hour or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Rest the Chicken: Remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for 10 minutes to allow juices to redistribute.
- Serve: Slice the roasted chicken and serve warm, garnished with additional herbs if desired.
Notes
- Ensure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F for food safety and juiciness.
- Bringing the chicken and butter to room temperature helps in even cooking and better flavor absorption.
- Tying the legs helps the chicken maintain its shape and cook evenly.
- The roasted garlic adds a sweet, mellow flavor different from raw garlic.
- Resting the chicken before slicing allows the meat to remain moist and juicy.
