Baking a whole chicken is much easier than you might think. Roasted chicken is a simple and easy meal that can be served with almost any side dish or as the main course. There are so many ways to enjoy roasted chicken, but getting it right every time can be tricky.
You can’t go too wrong with this classic roast chicken recipe. It’s full of flavor and really easy to make. You just need some olive oil, salt and pepper for this one!
Step 1: Pick your chicken
When buying a chicken for roasting, you want to choose a bird that has some fat on it. This gives a juicier and more flavorful outcome. If you have the option to choose bone-in or bone-out, which one is better?
Truthfully, it comes down to personal preference. Bone-in meat will be juicier and more flavorful, while bone-out will be more tender. It depends on what you want. If you want an easier cleanup, go for bone-in. If you want a more tender chicken, go with bone-out.
Knowing your cuts of chicken
When it comes to roasting, you can use almost any cut of chicken. Just be sure to adjust roasting times depending on the size of the bird.
Breast – A whole breast is best for slow-roasting as it is naturally very juicy. A whole breast will take about 2 hours to cook.
You can also separate the breast from the bone and cut it into individual pieces to roast. Breast pieces will take about 40 minutes to cook.
Drumsticks – These take about 50 minutes to cook. Drumsticks are perfect to serve as the main course for 4 people. You can also use them in other recipes that require thighs.
Thighs – These are another great option for a roast chicken. A whole thigh will take about 1 hour to cook.
Seasoning and marinating your chicken
Seasoning your chicken is essential for a delicious roast chicken. Most people simply use salt and pepper, but there are lots of other flavors that go great with roast chicken. As well as salt and pepper, you can also season your chicken with things like cumin, paprika, coriander, oregano, garlic, bay leaves, or rosemary.
If you have the time, marinating the chicken will add more flavor to your roast chicken. You can use any sauce or marinade that you like. If you don’t have time for marinating, at least season your chicken well with salt and pepper.
Baking time and temperature
This one may seem obvious, but it’s important to keep in mind. Roast chicken should be roasted at a high temperature for a short period. You want the skin to be crispy, but the meat inside to remain juicy. Always start with a cold oven.
Preheat the oven to 425 °F/220 °C. Season the chicken and add any flavorings, such as mushrooms, olives, lemons, or garlic. Put the chicken in the oven and leave it for 10 minutes before checking it. The chicken should be browned, and the juices should run clear when you pierce it with a knife.
Conclusion
Now that you know how to bake the perfect roasted chicken, why not try one of these delicious recipes? You can make a simple roasted chicken with potatoes and carrots. This roasted chicken with potatoes and carrots recipe is the perfect weeknight dinner.
Or try these roasted cumin and lime chicken thighs. This cumin and lime chicken thighs recipe is so flavorful and it is super easy to make. If you love lemon, then this lemon and garlic roasted chicken is for you. This lemon and garlic roasted chicken is perfect for a Sunday roast.
You can also try this orange and thyme roasted chicken if you’re looking for something different. This orange and thyme roasted chicken is super easy to make. Now you know how to bake the perfect roasted chicken, there are so many ways to enjoy it!
