Name: The BEST Roast Chicken
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 2 h 30 min
Total time: 2 h 50 min
Ingredients: One 5-6 pound roasting chicken; Salt; Pepper; 1 large bunch of roasting herb blend (rosemary, thyme, sage/parsley); 1 lemon, halved; 1 head garlic, cut in half; 2 large yellow onions, roughly chopped; 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened; 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard; 1/2 cup vegetable broth; 1/2 cup white wine; 1 teaspoon lemon juice

Are you ready for the BEST, easy 10 ingredient roast chicken recipe? This whole roast chicken with crispy skin is juicy and tastes amazing!

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Easy to Make & Even Easier to Clean Up!

Roasted chicken is a versatile dish perfect year-round, providing a great source of protein. It's easy to make, ideal for meal prep, and can be included in a variety of recipes. You can enjoy it on its own, with veggies, or in soups and pasta dishes, plus it’s a one-pot recipe for easy cleanup. My favorite part is the crispy skin and juicy meat. This recipe not only guarantees delicious results but also teaches you how to make homemade bone broth to pair with your chicken. In just a couple of hours, you can have a perfectly cooked meal for the whole family!

The finished roasted chicken sitting beautifully on its final serving plate.

Prepping the Chicken

When preparing poultry, follow these key steps: wash the skin and cavity, remove the neck and giblets, and pat the meat dry. Let it come to room temperature for at least 30 minutes. Preheat your oven to 450°F and grease a roasting pan with a rack. Season the outside with salt and the cavity with pepper before stuffing it with herbs, lemon, garlic, and onion. Tie the drumsticks together with cooking twine.

For crispy skin, mix softened butter and Dijon mustard, then massage it over the chicken, including under the skin. Place the chicken breast side up in the roasting pan, tucking the wings under. Add chopped onion, vegetable broth, and wine to the pan for extra flavor while baking.

A clean chicken sitting on a cutting board ready to be seasoned and prepped for cooking.

A chicken laying on a cutting board getting salted.

Time to Cook this Bird

Place the chicken in an uncovered oven at 450°F for 15 minutes. Then, mix melted butter with lemon juice and brush it over the chicken. Reduce the oven temperature to 350°F and roast for 45 minutes, basting with pan juices to keep it moist. Rotate the chicken and continue roasting for another 90 minutes, basting every 30 minutes. Cover with foil if any part begins to burn, but avoid broiling to prevent overcooking.

Check for doneness with a thermometer; the internal temperature should reach 165°F. Once cooked, let the chicken rest on a carving board for at least 15 minutes to allow flavors to settle. Remove the twine, discard cavity ingredients, and carve to serve!

A close up shot of the finished roast chicken.

What to Serve Alongside the Roasted Chicken

I prefer roasting chicken without vegetables in the same dish, as they can get overcooked and absorb the chicken's flavor. Instead, I roast chicken separately and use a separate pan for veggies.

For a complementary side, roast carrots, onions, and baby potatoes. Slice the carrots, wash the potatoes, and season them with olive oil, thyme, salt, and pepper. Roast at 425°F for 20 minutes, then add sliced onion for the last 10 minutes. Garnish with pesto or serve with fresh arugula.

For a fresh salad, try my Roasted Beet and Citrus Arugula Salad. The earthy beets and zesty citrus create a vibrant pairing with the chicken. Another great side is savory mashed sweet potato recipe, which balance sweet and savory flavors. My recipe includes fresh thyme, leeks, and shallots for added depth.

A finished plate with mashed potatoes, carrots and the roast chicken sitting on the bed of potatoes.

How To Make Bone Broth

Making homemade bone broth is easier than it sounds and offers numerous health benefits, including collagen for hair, skin, nails, and joint health, along with protein and gut support.

You can use bone broth in soups, and it’s handy to have on hand. To make our homemade bone broth, add 8-10 chicken bones and five large ginger pieces to a crockpot. Pour in 2 cups of vegetable broth, 1 cup of water, 1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar, 1 tablespoon of turmeric, and a pinch of black pepper. Cover and cook for at least 12 hours (ideally 16-18). Strain twice when finished; this recipe yields about 6-8 servings.

A top view of the roast chicken sitting on a bed of mashed potatoes with a side serving of roasted carrots.

Recipes That Utilize Leftover Chicken

If you have leftover chicken, here are some easy ways to use it in delicious dishes:

Chicken Tortilla Soup: This quick, gluten-free recipe is perfect for busy weeknights. Made with pantry staples, it creates a hearty meal in under an hour.

Lemon Orzo Soup: A family-friendly, one-pot gluten-free dish featuring shredded chicken, soft carrots, and orzo. It takes just 45 minutes to make and yields six servings of rich soup.

A side angle of the finished roast chicken on its platter.

If You Love This Recipe, Then Try...

Here are just a few of my other favorite chicken recipes on the blog. I've got three amazing dishes that you will absolutely love. They are easy and yield delicious outcomes!

Chicken Wings: Say hello to the best no mess, no fuss chicken wing recipe! No fryer or grill required for this chicken recipes. The easy baking process makes these cilantro and lime chicken wings perfect to make year round. The unique flavor is the real reason that this chicken recipe always hits the spot though!
Butter Chicken: Indian Butter Chicken was one of the first recipes I tried and on the first bite I fell in love. This dish is also known as murgh makhani, and is a traditional Indian curry dish. The chicken is cooked in a combination of tomato sauce, spices, cream, and butter- hence the name. The result is a flavorful marinated chicken that melts on your tongue and is absolutely delicious.
Apricot Chicken: It doesn't get much better than juicy, tender chicken thighs and this recipe yields the most delicious chicken! With homemade Sweet & Spicy Apricot Glaze, this delicious chicken recipe comes together in under two hours and is so easy to make. I love this recipe because the apricot glaze is the perfect balance of just sweet enough without being overpowering.