Created on August 24th, 2025 at 04:41 pm
Crispy Skin, Juicy Meat — Pure Comfort!
There’s nothing quite like a homemade garlic lemon roast chicken — crisp skin, juicy meat, and just the right hint of citrus and rosemary. This cozy classic is a go-to for Sunday dinners and busy weeknights thanks to its simple prep and just five core ingredients. Whether you’re cooking for family or meal-prepping for the week, this roast chicken is foolproof, flavorful, and totally satisfying. It’s a savory recipe that brings serious comfort to your table — with leftovers you’ll actually look forward to! Pair it with your favorite potato side dish or summer veggie and dinner is served. 🍗✨
⏱️ Time Breakdown
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Servings: 4
📝 Ingredients List
- 1 whole chicken (4 to 5 pounds)
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 large garlic cloves, peeled
- 3 sprigs fresh rosemary (or 1½ teaspoons dried rosemary)
- 1 lemon, halved
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
✨ Kitchen Tools You’ll Need
This recipe doesn’t require fancy gadgets, just a few reliable kitchen basics to keep everything simple and stress-free.
- Roasting pan, baking dish, or cast iron skillet
- Small saucepan
- Sharp knife
- Cutting board
- Measuring spoons
- Kitchen twine (or unflavored dental floss)
- Basting spoon
- Meat thermometer
- Tongs or carving knife
👩🍳 Step-by-Step Beginner-Friendly Instructions
- Preheat oven to 450ºF. Position rack in the center.
- Prep the bird: Remove giblets and excess fat. Rinse and pat dry thoroughly — dry skin = crispy skin!
- Melt butter in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Remove from heat and add garlic and rosemary. Let sit 5 minutes.
- Season inside & out: Place the garlic and rosemary in the chicken cavity. Brush chicken all over with the infused butter. Season generously with salt and pepper — inside, outside, and even under the skin if you can!
- Add lemon halves to the cavity and tie legs together with kitchen twine.
- Roast the chicken for about 1 hour, basting every 15 minutes. Rotate the pan each time you baste to ensure even cooking.
- Check for doneness: Internal temperature should hit 165ºF in the thickest part of the breast.
- Rest before carving: Let chicken rest for 10 minutes before slicing. 🍽️
💡 Pro Tips
- Storage: Keep leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days, or freeze in portions for up to 3 months.
- Reheating: Reheat in the oven at 300ºF (covered) or microwave with a splash of broth to retain moisture.
- Serving Ideas: Pair with honey roasted carrots, mashed sweet potatoes, or crispy Brussels sprouts for a full meal.
- Meal Prep: Use leftovers in soups, sandwiches, wraps, or salads — it’s a versatile base protein.
📊 Nutrition Table
| Serving Size | Calories | Protein | Carbs | Fat | Fiber | Sugar |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 plate | 420 | 30g | 3g | 35g | 0g | 1g |
Disclaimer: Nutrition facts are estimated using online tools and may vary based on your ingredients and preparation. Please consult a nutritionist for precise dietary advice.
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