How To Roast A Whole Chicken In The Oven

In the recipe below we seasoned the roasted chicken with onion and garlic powder along with rosemary.
We used butter but you could use olive oil if you prefer. We have cooked our chicken both ways and they turn out great either way. Our daughter has a sensitivity to dairy so if she is coming over for dinner we use olive oil.

Why use a roasting rack to roast chicken?

A roasting rack allows air to circulate all around the chicken. This process helps the chicken brown on all sides and roast evenly. Without a rack, you can also use a grill grate or arrange your bird on top of vegetables.

This pan must be larger than the chicken and it must have sides so that it can contain the juices. A tip is to put a row of veggies on this pan to absorb the juices as they drip. This will help keep the oven from smoking. If you plan to roast chicken on a regular basis I highly recommend that you invest in a good roasting rack and roasting pan. We love ours and use them so often.

How to know when roasted chicken is done

The best way to know if a roasted chicken is done is to insert a meat thermometer deep into the breast or thigh of the chicken without touching the bone. It should read 165F. A meat thermometer is the safest way to know if your bird has thoroughly cooked, and it also takes out the guesswork. Nothing more annoying than a dry bird or one that has pink meat.

Tips on roasting a whole chicken

• Dry the whole bird with a clean kitchen towel or a couple of paper towels. Pat it thoroughly, getting around the legs and wings, too. It should feel just slightly tacky to the touch after your done. Dry skin crisps up and turns nice and golden after roasting (see photos).
• Season the bird very well before it’s cooked. Don’t be shy about using seasonings (even salt, since it helps the skin get crisp) and get creative. If you love garlic consider adding whole garlic cloves or cut lemons and onions in the cavity. Rub your chicken with minced garlic, poultry seasoning or BBQ rub.
• For a juicy chicken, bake it breast side up.
• If you don’t have a roasting rack layer the bottom of your pan with loads of veggies. They will add flavor and aroma but also help your chicken from sticking to the pan.
• It is important that your baked chicken rest prior to serving. Plan ahead so that your chicken can rest for 30 minutes after it comes out of the oven.
• When checking the internal temperature of the chicken place the thermometer deep into the breast or thigh but be cautious not to touch the bone. If your gauge is touching the bone your reading will be inaccurate.

What to serve with roasted chicken

We love a great main dish, but sometimes, the real star is the side dish. If nothing else, side dishes really do complement a meal and make it even better.

These are our favorite sides to serve with roasted chicken. 

• Panko-Crusted Zucchini Rounds
• Glazed Carrots
• Mashed Sweet Potatoes
• Green Beans
• Baked Potatoes