Roast Chicken
Ingredients
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- 4 pounds chicken, whole
- 2 tsp kosher salt
- 1 tsp black pepper – freshly ground
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter – softened
- 1 medium lemon – halved
- 6 cloves garlic – lightly crushed
- 6 sprigs thyme sprigs
- 1 medium onion – thickly sliced
- 2 medium carrot – cut into 2-inch pieces
- 2 ribs celery – cut into 2-inch pieces
- 1/2 cup chicken stock, low-sodium
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C) with a rack in the center; set a sturdy roasting pan nearby.
2. Pat the chicken dry thoroughly with paper towels. Season inside and out with the kosher salt and black pepper, then rub the skin all over with the unsalted butter until evenly coated.
3. Stuff the cavity with the lemon, garlic, and thyme sprigs; tuck the wing tips under and tie the legs loosely with kitchen twine.
4. Scatter the onion, carrot, and celery in the roasting pan to form a bed. Set a rack over the vegetables (or rest it directly on them), then place it breast-side up.
5. Roast at 425°F until the skin is deep golden and an instant-read thermometer in the thickest part of the thigh registers 160–165°F, 60–75 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through.
6. Transfer to a cutting board and rest, uncovered, 15 minutes so the juices redistribute.
7. Set the roasting pan over medium heat on the stovetop. Add the chicken stock and simmer, scraping up browned bits, until reduced slightly and glossy, 3–5 minutes; strain if desired.
8. Carve and serve with the warm pan juices.
Roast chicken is a comfort-food cornerstone prized for crackly golden skin and tender, juicy meat. Aromatics tucked into the cavity perfume the bird while it cooks, and a quick pan jus made from the roasting juices delivers a savory finish. It’s versatile enough for a weeknight yet celebratory enough for a Sunday table, pairing well with everything from simple greens to roasted vegetables.
Historically, roasting poultry over open fires and later in enclosed ovens has deep roots across Europe, with French poulet rôti and the British Sunday roast shaping much of the modern template. As ovens became common in home kitchens, the dish evolved into a household standard and a rite of passage for new cooks. Its enduring appeal lies in simple technique, quality ingredients, and reliable results that showcase the bird’s natural flavor.