Simple Roast Chicken Recipe

Looking for an easy and delicious roast chicken recipe with simple ingredients? Check out this easy fresh recipe that you can make anytime for dinner!

Roast Chicken

Have you ever pulled a roast chicken out of the oven and it smelled so amazing? This Roast Chicken is literally the best meal you can ever make for your family.

Simple Roast Chicken: The Quintessential Comfort Food

There’s nothing quite like the comforting aroma and succulent taste of a simple roast chicken. With just a handful of ingredients—a whole chicken, some fresh herbs, and root vegetables—you can create a meal that’s timeless yet incredibly satisfying. A dry brine of Kosher salt and ground black pepper not only seasons the chicken but also helps in achieving that coveted crispy skin. This is the kind of recipe that every home cook should have in their repertoire, as it’s both delicious and nearly foolproof.

FAQs

How long should I dry brine the chicken?
Ideally, you should dry brine the chicken for at least 4 hours or overnight for the best results.

Can I use other herbs besides thyme?
Absolutely! Rosemary or sage also works well with chicken.

Do I need to truss the chicken?
Trussing helps the chicken cook evenly, but it’s not mandatory. If you’re short on time, you can skip it.

The best part of this chicken is that you can make it and enjoy several different sides with it. I love to have mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, and a veggie with this chicken! Let’s talk about how to make this recipe and how delicious it can be for your family.

Tips and Tricks

• Pat the Chicken Dry: Before applying the dry brine, pat the chicken dry with paper towels. This helps the skin crisp up during roasting.
• Room Temperature: Allow the chicken to come to room temperature for about 30 minutes before roasting. This ensures even cooking.
• Roast Breast Side Up: To get crispy skin on the breast, make sure you’re roasting the chicken breast side up.

Variations

• Citrus Twist: Add lemon or orange slices under the chicken skin for a citrusy flavor.
• Spicy Kick: Include a dash of cayenne pepper in your dry brine for some heat.

Where to Serve

This roast chicken is versatile and fits almost any occasion—Sunday family dinners, holiday gatherings, or even a weekday meal with leftovers for days.

I like making roast chicken because it’s so easy to make. There are days where I just don’t feel like cooking and this is the recipe that pops into my mind.

I always buy the chicken on sale and I pop them in the freezer. When I am ready to make the chicken, I take it out of the freezer to unthaw. Here are some of the ingredients used in this recipe. 

Storage

Leftover chicken can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. You can also freeze it for up to 3 months.

Common Problems and How to Avoid Them

• Dry Meat: Ensure you’re not overcooking the chicken. An internal temperature of 165°F (75°C) indicates doneness.
• Soggy Skin: For crispy skin, make sure the chicken is patted dry before roasting and that your oven is preheated to the correct temperature.

Tips for Making this Recipe with Kids

• Herb Picking: Little ones can help by picking the leaves off the thyme sprigs.
• Vegetable Prep: Older kids can assist in cutting carrots and quartering the onion.

Topping Options

• Gravy: Make a simple gravy using the chicken drippings.
• Fresh Herbs: A sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley or thyme adds color and flavor.

Whole chicken – I always buy the 2 pound whole chickens because it makes roasting it a whole lot easier. 

Marinade – The dry brine that I use for this chicken is amazing. You’ll want to use it for all of your other chicken recipes too. 

Kosher salt – You cannot make a chicken without kosher salt. 

Fresh thyme – I love using fresh ingredients on my chicken. 

Cut carrot – You’ll want to cut these carrots into 2-3 inch cubes

White onion – You will want to go ahead and quarter this onion. 

Using all of these amazing ingredients, you will be able to create a Roast Chicken that no one will forget. You can use this as your main meal on Thanksgiving or you can make it for dinner tonight.

Whatever you decide, the taste of this chicken is juicy and oh-so-good. 

Why This Recipe Works

• Dry Brining: This technique seasons the chicken throughout and helps to achieve crispy skin.
• Simple Ingredients: The minimal ingredients allow the natural flavors of the chicken to shine.
• Fresh Herbs: Thyme adds an aromatic, earthy flavor that complements the chicken beautifully.

This simple roast chicken recipe checks all the boxes—it’s easy to prepare, incredibly flavorful, and virtually foolproof. Whether you’re a seasoned home cook or a beginner in the kitchen, this is a recipe you’ll return to time and again. From the crispy, seasoned skin to the juicy, tender meat, it’s a culinary experience that satisfies the soul as much as the taste buds.

If you decide to make this chicken, leave a comment below to let me know what you think. What sides to you plan on making with this chicken?

Here are some other amazing chicken recipes you can try for dinner:

• Easy One Pot Chicken Lemon Orzo Skillet Recipe
• How To Make Garlic Chicken Parmesan With Bowtie Pasta
• The Best Copycat Panda Express Orange Chicken
• Easy One Pan Honey Garlic Chicken Dinner

If you are looking for more fun dinner recipes be sure to check out this comprehensive list! Easy and Tasty Dinner Ideas For The Whole Family

Yield: One Chicken

Simple Roast Chicken Recipe

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 45 minutes

Additional Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes

This simple roast chicken recipe uses a dry brine of Kosher salt and ground black pepper to season a whole chicken, which is then roasted with fresh thyme, carrots, and onions for a flavorful, comforting meal. The minimal ingredients and straightforward preparation make it a versatile, foolproof dish suitable for any occasion.

Print

Ingredients

• 1 whole chicken (about 2lb 6oz)
• Marinade (dry brine):
• 1.5 tsp Kosher salt
• 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
• Others:
• 5 sprigs fresh thyme (or rosemary)
• 2 medium carrot cut into 2-3 inches cubes
• 1 small white onion quartered

Instructions

1. Pat dry the chicken with a clean paper towel. Sprinkle salt and
   pepper all over the chicken, include its cavity.
2. Transfer the chicken to a clean cooking pan, tuck the wing tips behind the shoulders.
3. Cover with plastic wrap and let the chicken marinade over night or maximum 2 days, in the fridge.
4. When the chicken is ready to cook, take it out and leave it at room temperature for 15 minutes
5. Pre-heat oven to 450F
6. Pat dry the chicken with a clean paper towel. Leave 1-2 sprigs of fresh thyme inside its cavity.
7. Add the remaining thyme, cubes of carrot and chopped onion in a roasting pan or cast-iron skillet.
8. Then put the chicken, breast side up on top of the vegetables.
9. Place the chicken on the center rack of the oven and roast for 30 minutes.
10. After 30 minutes, take the chicken out and raise temperature of the oven to 460F.
11. Use two rubber spatulas to carefully turn the chicken up side down.
12. Return the chicken to the oven and roast for another 15 minutes.
13. After 15 minutes, take the chicken out again and turn it over.
14. Return the chicken to the oven and continue cooking until the breast turn to golden brown color, approximately 5-10 minutes.
15. Take the chicken out of the oven and let it rest for 5 to 10 minutes then transfer it to a serving platter.
16. Discard any burnt vegetables and thyme inside the chicken's cavity. Keep the rest include the dripping.
17. Serve chicken immediately with the remaining roasted carrots & onions.
18. Pour the dripping over the chicken right before eating time.
    
    

Nutrition Information

Yield

5

Serving Size

1
Amount Per Serving Calories 299Total Fat 16gSaturated Fat 5gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 10gCholesterol 105mgSodium 487mgCarbohydrates 3gFiber 1gSugar 1gProtein 33g

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If you liked this Roast Chicken recipe be sure to check out this Simple and Fuss Free Roast Turkey Recipe For Thanksgiving!