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Whole golden roasted chicken on a ceramic platter with fresh herbs and lemon

Roasted Chicken

Crispy skin, tender juicy meat, legs cooked through.

Total: 1 hr 30 minDifficulty: EasyYield: 4 ServingsTemp: 450°F

Timing: 1h 30m

FrenchChickenDinner

Key move

A simple roast chicken is the hardest dish to perfect because the breast dries out at 150°F while the legs need 175°F.

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The Setup

  • Cast Iron Skillet
    12-inch
  • Instant-Read Thermometer
  • Cutting Board
  • Chef's Knife
  • Tongs

The Mise en Place

2

Your prep station before cooking begins

The Protein (0/2)

1800 gwhole chicken (4lb)(Air-dried in fridge for 24 hours (uncovered))
10 gkosher salt(Generous amount inside and out)

My kitchen is filling with smoke!

That's usually the chicken fat splattering and burning. A simple trick is to place some chopped vegetables like potatoes or carrots underneath the bird; they'll catch the fat. Alte…

My chicken breast is dry and tough.

Ah, the classic dry breast. That just means it got a little too much heat for too long. Invest in a digital thermometer; it's your best friend for perfectly cooked chicken. Forget…

Chef's Notes

Tip

Pat the chicken completely dry with paper towels before roasting for crispier skin.

Tip

Place chicken on a rack in the roasting pan to allow air circulation for even cooking and browning.

Serving

Serve with roasted root vegetables like potatoes, carrots, and parsnips for a complete meal.

Variation

Rub under the skin with softened butter mixed with herbs like rosemary and thyme for extra flavor.

The Method

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