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roast chicken

Perfect Roast Chicken

5 from 1 vote
AuthorBronwyn Case
Roast chicken dinner is one of the best meals to have in the recipe book. It is so tasty, nutritious, and economical! This roast chicken recipe and method isn't rocket science, that's why it's the best, and it always comes out perfect!
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Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time1 hour
Rest 15 minutes
Total Time1 hour 30 minutes
Servings4 people

Ingredients  

  • 3-4 lb chicken
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp pepper
  • 1/2 tsp paprika
  • 1 tsp thyme
  • 1/2 lemon or onion

Instructions 

  1. Preheat your oven to 500°F (260°C) with your empty cast iron pan inside to get it nice and hot.
  2. Prep the chicken. Pat your whole chicken dry with paper towel and place it in a large bowl.
  3. Season the chicken. In a small bowl, mix together olive oil, salt, pepper, paprika, and thyme.
  4. Pour the mixture over the chicken and rub it all over generously.
  5. Stuff the cavity with half a lemon or half an onion (your choice).
  6. Wash your hands, grab your oven mitts and then carefully remove the hot cast iron pan from the oven. Place the seasoned chicken directly into the hot pan and return it to the oven.
  7. Roast at 500°F for 15 minutes. This high heat helps crisp the skin.
  8. Reduce heat to 375°F (190°C) and continue roasting for 30–45 minutes, or until the thickest part of the meat reaches 165°F (74°C) with a thermometer.
  9. Let rest for 15 minutes before slicing. This keeps the juices in!