How To Cook Oven Baked Chicken

Oven Baked Chicken is probably one of the easiest yet most satisfying family
dinner meals. It is affordable, it can feed a large family, and it is super delicious! When
roasting the bird, you end up with unbelievable flavors, crispy skin, and super tender meat.
I’ve been testing this recipe many times over the years, and I can certainly say that roasting the chicken with herbs and butter will result in the best outcome. The chicken is quite festive, and you can serve it for various occasions, such as Thanksgiving or Christmas. No matter the event, you are guaranteed to love this recipe!
Feel free to serve it as is, or pair this dish with delicious oven-baked potatoes, homemade mac and cheese, or a German potato salad.

When it comes to roasting the bird, the most important thing is to have the right balance of herbs and butter. The secret ingredient here is butter, as it gives the chicken a nice color with that golden-brown skin while adding a lot of flavors. This recipe is genuinely super easy to follow and will Result in a golden, crispy, and juicy chicken. Add this recipe to your rotational meal, and you will never roast chicken any other way!

What do you need to roast a whole chicken?

You will need the following ingredients:

• Whole chicken (medium-sized about 3-4 pounds)
• 3 tablespoons butter, melted
• Three tablespoons olive oil
• One lemon halved
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
  3/4 teaspoon Kosher salt
• 3/4 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/3 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/4 fresh ground black pepper
• Two fresh rosemary sprigs

How to roast whole chicken?

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
   Then, rinse and pat dry chicken with a paper towel. You want to eliminate the moister inside
   and out. This way, you will end up with a crispy skin.
   In a small bowl, combine the melted butter with olive oil, minced garlic, and lemon juice. Next,
   rub the mixture evenly all over the chicken (inside and outside).
2. After, rub the chicken outside and inside with the mixture of seasoning (salt, dried basil, dried
   thyme, ground black pepper).
3. Stuff the rosemary springs inside the chicken. Tie legs together with kitchen string.
4. Place breast-side up into a baking tray, and cook it under 400 degrees for about 80 minutes,
   basting at about 40 minutes.
5. Once the chicken is done baking, baste again, and put under broil for an additional 2-3 minutes.
   This will give the bird that beautiful golden-brown color.
6. Remove from oven, and cover with foil. Let it rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.

For how long to roast the chicken?

For a medium-sized bird (3-4 pounds), the cooking time should be about 75-80 minutes (1 hour and 15-20 minutes). The best way to check the doneness is by using a meat thermometer. The Internal temperature should reach 165ºF. This is the safe internal temperature regardless of the cooking time.

Do you have to brine a roasted chicken?

Brining the chicken is optional but highly recommended. If you are in a hurry, you might skip this step. However, for the best results, I would recommend taking the time to do it.
If you brine the chicken, the meat will be juicer and more flavorful. It is quite easy to brine, as well. Simply place the whole chicken into the brine for about 30 to 60 minutes. As it brines, the bird will absorb some brine and juices, which will keep it moist while also seasoning it all the way through.

How to store leftover Oven Baked Chicken?

If you want to store it later or have leftovers, ensure that the chicken is completely cool before refrigerating it. Then, transfer the meat to an airtight container, and refrigerate for up to 4 days. It is best to reheat before serving, either using a microwave or oven.

Recipe Tips:

• You can use the same ingredients and follow the same steps to bake chicken breasts, thighs, or
  legs.
• If you want to skip the butter, feel free to do so, just use some extra olive oil.
• Also, you can use your favorite herbs and substitute them from the ingredient list.
• Freshly minced garlic can be replaced with garlic powder. However, I highly recommend using fresh garlic.
• Ensure to place the chicken breast-side up in the baking tray, or iron-cast.

We hope you and your family enjoy this recipe, their so many ways to cook a great meal without spending hours in the kitchen.  Check out our other chicken recipes to spruce up your meals.

A little bit about me…My name is Catalina Castravet, and I created Sweet and Savory Meals. I am a professional chef and food blogger who is always on the lookouts for tasty and delicious recipes. Over the past 10 years, my team and I have created well over one thousand
recipes, starting from quick breakfasts, to delicious dinner meals. All the recipes are shared for free with our beloved followers and readers. Cooking is my love and passion.