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Lemon Herb Roasted Chicken with Crispy Skin

A whole, perfectly roasted chicken with incredibly crispy, dark golden-brown skin, representing the Lemon Herb Roasted Chicken.
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Follow this method to roast a whole chicken seasoned with lemon and herbs, focusing on techniques that guarantee extremely crispy skin and juicy meat.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 whole chicken (about 4 lbs)
  • 2 tablespoons kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 lemon, halved
  • 4 sprigs fresh rosemary
  • 6 sprigs fresh thyme
  • 4 cloves garlic, smashed
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

Instructions

  1. Remove the chicken from its packaging. Remove any giblets from the cavity. Pat the entire surface of the chicken thoroughly dry using paper towels. This step is critical for crispy skin.
  2. In a small bowl, mix the softened butter with the salt and pepper. Rub this herb butter mixture all over the outside of the chicken, including under the skin over the breast meat if possible.
  3. Stuff the cavity with the lemon halves, rosemary sprigs, thyme sprigs, and smashed garlic cloves.
  4. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Place the chicken on a roasting rack set inside a shallow roasting pan. Drizzle the skin lightly with olive oil.
  5. Roast the chicken at 425°F (220°C) for 15 minutes to start crisping the skin.
  6. Reduce the oven temperature to 375°F (190°C). Continue roasting for 50 to 70 minutes, or until a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh registers 165°F (74°C).
  7. If the skin begins to brown too quickly, loosely tent the chicken with aluminum foil.
  8. Remove the chicken from the oven. Let it rest uncovered on a cutting board for 15 minutes before carving. Resting allows the juices to redistribute, keeping the meat moist.

Notes

  • For the crispiest skin, let the seasoned, uncovered chicken sit in the refrigerator for 4 to 24 hours before roasting. The cold air dries the skin surface.
  • If you prefer a lower temperature roast, start at 350°F (175°C) after the initial 15-minute blast, but expect a longer total cook time.
  • Use fresh herbs for the best flavor infusion into the meat.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://magazinemeal.com/lemon-herb-roasted-chicken-with-crispy-skin/