Perfect Herb Roast Chicken Recipe

There’s nothing quite like a perfectly roasted chicken, fresh from the oven, filling your home with an irresistible aroma. This classic comfort food staple boasts a juicy interior and unbelievably crispy skin. Mastering a delicious Herb Roast Chicken might seem daunting, but it’s simpler than you think. Get ready to create a show-stopping meal with this straightforward, flavorful recipe that you’ll want to make again and again.

Why You’ll Love This Herb Roast Chicken

This recipe delivers fantastic results every time. You’ll achieve incredibly crispy skin that crackles with every bite. The meat remains consistently moist and tender, never dry. It’s deeply infused with fragrant fresh herbs and aromatics. This dish is perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner or an impressive special occasion. Best of all, it requires minimal active prep time, making it ideal for busy cooks.

Ingredients

Gather these simple, fresh ingredients to make your sensational Herb Roast Chicken. These components combine to create a truly aromatic and satisfying meal.

• 1 large roasting chicken: Approximately 9 pounds, giblets removed.
• 1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter: Softened to room temperature.
• 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh herbs: A blend of rosemary, sage, thyme, and parsley, plus additional stems for the cavity.
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt: For seasoning.
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper: Adds a subtle kick.
• 1 tablespoon garlic: Finely minced.
• 1/2 of a large onion: Cut into quarter-inch vertical slices.
• 2 medium carrots: Peeled and sliced.
• 2 celery stalks: Sliced, include celery leaves.
• Rind of one lemon: Peeled in large strips.
• Water: As needed for the roasting pan.

Notes & Substitutions

You can adjust the chicken size; a 3-5 lb bird works well for smaller families, just adjust roasting time. Feel free to experiment with other fresh herb combinations like oregano, marjoram, or chives. Butter provides a richer flavor and crispier skin, but olive oil is a fine substitute if preferred. Kosher salt offers a cleaner taste and is easier to measure without over-salting. Add extra root vegetables like potatoes or parsnips directly to the pan for an all-in-one meal.

Equipment

Having the right tools makes roasting a chicken much easier. You will need a large, sturdy roasting pan to catch all the flavorful drippings. A reliable roasting rack is essential for air circulation around the chicken, ensuring even cooking and crispy skin. A meat thermometer is your best friend for guaranteeing perfect doneness without guesswork. Kitchen twine helps truss the chicken for uniform roasting. Finally, a sharp carving knife makes serving a breeze.

Instructions

Follow these clear, step-by-step instructions to create your perfect Herb Roast Chicken. Remember, patience and proper technique will yield the best results.

First, remove the giblets from the chicken cavity; save them for stock or discard. Rinse the chicken with cold water, then pat it completely dry inside and out with paper towels. This crucial step helps achieve crispy skin.

Next, prepare the herb butter. In a medium bowl, combine the softened butter, finely chopped fresh herbs, kosher salt, black pepper, and minced garlic. Stir everything until well combined.

Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).

Arrange most of the sliced onion, carrots, and celery in the bottom of your roasting pan. Place a flat roasting rack directly over the vegetables.

Set the dried chicken onto the rack. Gently place a few reserved vegetable slices, several fresh herb sprigs, and some lemon rind pieces into the chicken cavity. Avoid overfilling the cavity, as this can hinder even cooking. Distribute the remaining lemon rind around the outside of the chicken in the pan.

Tuck the wing tips under the chicken to prevent them from burning.

Now, gently separate the skin from the breast meat and thigh meat using your fingers. Be careful not to tear the skin. A long, upside-down spoon can help reach further back.

Spoon half of the prepared herb butter mixture under the loosened skin. Use your fingers to spread it evenly over the breast and thigh meat. Then, spread the remaining herb butter generously over the top of the chicken skin, ensuring full coverage.

Use kitchen twine to tie the ends of both legs together tightly. This “trussing” helps the chicken cook more evenly.

Insert a probe thermometer into the thickest part of the chicken thigh, avoiding the bone. Set the alarm temperature to 160 degrees F (71 degrees C).

Roast the chicken uncovered for 45 minutes to allow the skin to crisp. After this initial roasting time, add two cups of water to the bottom of the roasting pan, under the rack. This creates moisture and prevents pan drippings from burning, forming the base for gravy.

Throughout the remaining roasting time (approximately 2 hours total), check the water level in the pan. If it evaporates, add an additional cup of water as needed. If the chicken begins to brown too much before reaching 160 degrees F, loosely tent it with aluminum foil.

Once the thermometer reads 160 degrees F, remove the chicken from the oven. Leave the probe in, loosely tent it with foil, and let it rest for 20 minutes. During this resting period, the internal temperature will rise to slightly above 165 degrees F (74 degrees C), the USDA’s recommended safe cooking temperature for chicken.

After resting, remove the probe and foil. Carve the Herb Roast Chicken and serve immediately.

Perfect Herb Roast Chicken Recipe

Bitty

This recipe guides you through roasting a perfect herb chicken, ensuring crispy skin and a juicy interior. It involves a flavorful herb butter mixture applied under and over the skin, along with aromatic vegetables and lemon rind in the cavity for an exquisite aroma and taste.

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Prep Time 45 minutes mins

Cook Time 2 hours hrs

Total Time 3 hours hrs 5 minutes mins

Servings 8 people

Calories 550 kcal

Equipment

• Roasting pan
• Flat rack
• Medium bowl
• Paper towels
• Long spoon
• Kitchen twine
• Probe thermometer
• Aluminum foil
• Vegetable peeler

Ingredients

  

Main Ingredients

• 1 large roasting chicken (approximately 9 pounds)
• 1 stick unsalted butter (1/2 cup), softened to room temperature
• 1/4 cup fresh herbs finely chopped (rosemary, sage, thyme and parsley or poultry blend)
• fresh herb stems additional, for chicken cavity
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 tablespoon garlic finely minced
• 1/2 large onion cut into quarter-inch vertical slices
• 2 medium carrots peeled and sliced
• 2 celery stalks sliced (include celery leaves)
• 1 lemon lemon rind (peel off pieces of outer rind)
• water as needed

Instructions

 

Preparation

• Remove giblets from the chicken cavity, then rinse the chicken with cold water and pat it completely dry with paper towels.
• In a medium bowl, combine the softened butter with the finely chopped fresh herbs, kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper, and minced garlic; stir until well combined.
• Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F.
• Place most of the sliced vegetables in the bottom of a roasting pan, then position a flat rack over them, reserving a few vegetables for the chicken cavity.
• Set the chicken onto the rack, then place the reserved vegetables, a few sprigs of fresh herbs, and some lemon rinds into the cavity, being careful not to overfill.
• Tuck the wing tips securely under the chicken.
• Gently separate the skin from the meat around the breast, thighs, and legs using your fingers and a long spoon, ensuring the skin remains intact.
• Spoon half of the prepared butter mixture under the loosened skin and use your fingers and the spoon to spread it evenly.
• Spread the remaining butter mixture evenly over the entire top surface of the chicken skin.
• Using kitchen twine, securely tie the ends of both chicken legs together.
• Insert a probe thermometer into the thickest part of the chicken, setting its alarm temperature for 160 degrees F.

Roasting

• Roast the chicken uncovered for 45 minutes, then add two cups of water to the pan under the chicken to prevent burning and add moisture.
• Throughout the remaining roasting time, if the water evaporates, add another cup at a time to ensure the bottom of the pan does not burn.
• The total cooking time will be approximately two hours; if the chicken begins to brown too much before reaching 160 degrees F, loosely tent it with aluminum foil.
• Once the chicken reaches 160 degrees F, remove it from the oven, leave the probe in, loosely tent with foil, and let it rest for 20 minutes.
• After resting for twenty minutes, remove the probe and foil, and then begin carving the chicken.

Notes

Do not overfill the chicken cavity; just enough to add flavor is ideal, as overstuffing can prevent proper cooking. If the chicken begins to brown too quickly during roasting, loosely tent it with aluminum foil to prevent burning. Ensure to add water to the roasting pan as needed to prevent the pan juices from burning.

Pro Tips & Troubleshooting

For extra-crispy skin, ensure you pat the chicken extremely dry with paper towels before seasoning. Using a meat thermometer is the best way to prevent overcooking and guarantee a juicy bird; trust the temperature, not the clock. Trussing the chicken helps the dark and white meat cook more evenly, preventing the breast from drying out. The pan drippings, full of herb and vegetable flavor, are excellent for making a rich gravy. If the breast begins to dry out or brown too quickly, loosely tent it with aluminum foil. If you notice uneven browning, rotate your roasting pan halfway through cooking.

Serving Suggestions, Storage & Variations

Serve your delightful Herb Roast Chicken with the roasted vegetables from the pan for a complete meal. Classic side dishes like creamy mashed potatoes, steamed green beans, or a fresh garden salad also pair wonderfully. Don’t forget to use those flavorful pan drippings to make a simple, delicious gravy!

Store any cooked chicken leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. For longer storage, freeze leftover meat in freezer-safe bags or containers for up to 2-3 months. Thaw frozen chicken in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.

For variations, experiment with different fresh herbs like tarragon, oregano, or a touch of smoked paprika in your butter mixture. You can also spatchcock (butterfly) the chicken by removing its backbone for faster, more even cooking.

Nutrition Information

This Herb Roast Chicken recipe provides a wholesome meal. Nutritional values are approximate and can vary based on specific ingredients and portion sizes. This table offers a general guide for a single serving.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What herbs are best for roast chicken?
Rosemary, thyme, sage, and parsley are classic choices that offer a robust, aromatic flavor. You can also try oregano or marjoram for a slightly different profile.

Should I wash raw chicken before roasting?
No, the USDA recommends against washing raw chicken. Washing can spread bacteria around your kitchen, while cooking to the proper temperature will kill any harmful pathogens.

How do I get the skin crispy?
Patting the chicken thoroughly dry before seasoning and roasting at a relatively high temperature initially are key. Applying butter or oil also helps achieve a golden, crisp skin.

What is the ideal internal temperature for cooked chicken?
The USDA recommends cooking chicken to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) as measured by a meat thermometer. Resting the chicken after cooking allows the temperature to rise further.

Can I use boneless chicken pieces instead of a whole bird?
Absolutely! Adjust cooking times significantly for boneless cuts. Bone-in, skin-on pieces like thighs or breasts will yield a similar flavor profile for this Herb Roast Chicken.

How long does leftover roast chicken last?
Properly stored in an airtight container, leftover cooked chicken can last for 3-4 days in the refrigerator. Ensure it’s cooled quickly before storing.

Conclusion

There you have it – a recipe for the perfect Herb Roast Chicken that is both simple to prepare and incredibly flavorful. With its aromatic herbs, tender meat, and crispy skin, this dish truly embodies classic comfort food. We hope this guide empowers you to master this essential recipe and make it a beloved family favorite. Don’t hesitate to share your own experiences and personal twists on this wonderful dish!