Easy Roasted Whole Chicken

Roasting a whole chicken in the oven is a super easy process, and the results are delicious! With a few simple ingredients, you can cook your own whole roasted chicken with relative ease.

When it comes to cooking, it seems like people are most afraid of preparing large or whole cuts of meat. I used to be scared too, so I can understand this feeling. It can be intimidating when you don’t know where to start. However, it does not need to be! Instead, let’s start with a simple recipe: Roasted Whole Chicken.

Roasting a whole chicken does not require special tools, skills, or even ingredients. That is what I love about this recipe. With a basic 9 by 13 inch pan and this easy recipe, you can cook a whole chicken in less than a couple hours.

I love to roast a whole chicken because it often has leftovers, which means less cook time for the next couple of meals. To use the leftover chicken, I can either strip the meat off of the bones and use it for another recipe, or we can reheat the whole chicken for another meal later.

Another awesome thing about this recipe is that I can change up the flavors depending on my mood or the season. I could switch out the Italian seasoning for some lemon pepper or even use a dry rub or another seasoning mix. My favorite recipes are ones I can make like new with just a simple swap.

However, my favorite part about cooking a whole chicken for dinner is the fact that it is so easy. All I need is about 5 minutes of prep time to have a whole chicken cooking in the oven. Then the rest is hands-off roasting time, and I can work on other things or spend time with my little one while dinner is baking away.

Why are whole chickens so cheap?

It’s cheaper to buy a whole chicken rather than the separate pieces because the whole bird does not need to be cut up by a butcher. The chicken breasts, thighs, and other selections all have to be cut from a whole chicken, and this can add to the labor and prep time, which in turn adds to the overall cost of the pieces. In the end, a whole chicken is cheaper per pound than its pieces for this reason.

Can whole chicken be cooked from frozen?

No, I would not cook a whole roasted chicken from frozen. The internal temperature of the chicken would not be able to reach the appropriate temperature of 165 degrees without first burning the outside.

How do you defrost a whole chicken?

To defrost a whole chicken, it is best to place it in the fridge for a few days. However, you can also place it in a sink or bowl full of warm water. Then leave it for a few hours. You may need to change out the water over time as the chicken defrosts.

What temperature should you cook a whole chicken?

When you are cooking a whole chicken in the oven, I like to set the temperature at 425 degrees. This creates a crisp skin, and it also cuts down on the overall roasting time. You will know the chicken is done when the juices are clear and the internal temperature is 165 degrees.

Where do you check the temperature of the whole chicken?

To check the temperature of the whole chicken when roasting, you want to check the thickest section of the breast meat. You can make a cut to check juices in the center of the breast, or insert your thermometer in the same area.

Supplies:

• Roasting Pan or 9x13in. Glass Pan
• Whole Chicken
• Olive Oil
• Italian Seasoning
• Salt
• Black Pepper

How to Roast a Whole Chicken in the Oven:

Preheat your oven to 425 degrees. Place your pan next to your sink area, so it is ready.

Rinse your chicken in cold water. You will want to make sure to rinse the outside and inside, and check to see if there are any organ meats or not. If so, you will want to remove them before roasting.

You can then pat the chicken dry with paper towels or let air dry for a minute before placing in your roasting pan with the breast side up.

Drizzle the chicken with your olive oil. Then sprinkle on the salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. You will want to cover as much of the chicken as possible.

Place the chicken in the oven. Bake for about 1 hour and 15 minutes.

When time is up, you will want to check the juices and temperature of the chicken. If it is not done, place it back in the oven for up to 15 more minutes before checking again. The juices should run clear, and the internal temperature should be 165 degrees when done.

Once cooked, you will remove from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes or so before serving. Enjoy!