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Whole Roasted Chicken

Savory Whole Roasted Chicken That's Perfectly Juicy

This Whole Roasted Chicken recipe offers a juicy, flavorful dish perfect for family dinners.
Prep Time 1 hour
Cook Time 5 hours
Resting Time 15 minutes
Total Time 6 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Calories: 483

Ingredients
  

For the Chicken
  • 1 whole Whole Chicken (4-5 lbs) Choose organic or free-range for the best flavor.
  • 0.25 cup Room Temperature Butter Essential for achieving a crispy, golden skin; olive oil can be a lighter substitute.
For the Seasoning
  • 4 teaspoons Salt Enhances flavor and helps tenderize the meat; sea salt is an excellent choice.
  • 2 teaspoons Paprika Adds subtle smokiness and vibrant color to the skin.
  • 1 teaspoon Onion Powder Provides a sweet and savory depth that complements the chicken.
  • 1 teaspoon Dried Thyme Infuses herbal notes into the dish; fresh thyme can be used for added brightness.
  • 1 teaspoon White Pepper Delivers gentle heat and aromatic complexity; you can opt for black pepper as a substitute.
  • 0.5 teaspoon Cayenne Pepper Adds a hint of heat, adjustable to your spice tolerance.
  • 0.5 teaspoon Black Pepper Complements other seasonings with warm, aromatic undertones.
  • 0.5 teaspoon Garlic Powder Introduces earthiness; substituting with fresh garlic cloves will work beautifully.

Equipment

  • Roasting pan
  • meat thermometer

Method
 

Step-by-Step Instructions for Whole Roasted Chicken
  1. Preheat your oven to a steady 250°F (120°C).
  2. In a medium bowl, combine salt, paprika, onion powder, dried thyme, white pepper, cayenne, black pepper, and garlic powder. Mix well until evenly blended.
  3. Rinse the whole chicken under cold water and pat dry thoroughly with paper towels.
  4. Rub the chicken with room temperature butter and coat it with the prepared seasoning mix.
  5. Place the seasoned chicken breast-side up in your roasting pan and roast undisturbed for about 5 hours.
  6. After about 4 hours, check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer, ensuring it reaches a minimum of 160°F (70°C).
  7. Once the chicken reaches the perfect temperature, let it rest for at least 15 minutes before carving and serving.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 483kcalProtein: 70gFat: 22gSaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 200mgSodium: 1800mgPotassium: 500mg

Notes

For extra flavor, consider adding root vegetables around the chicken while roasting or seasoning a day in advance for deeper flavors.

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