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roasted whole chicken

Kinepeli avatar
Recipe by
Jennifer R
@Kinepeli
Portland, OR

I let the seasoning do all the work in this super easy, super tasty chicken! Keeping the breast side down during roasting makes sure that it doesn't dry out. The chicken is moist, flavorful and delicious!

yield 4 serving(s)
prep time 15 Min
cook time 1 Hr 15 Min
method Roast

Ingredients For roasted whole chicken

  • 1
    4-6 lb whole chicken, rinsed and patted dry
  • 2 Tbsp
    softened butter
  • 3 Tbsp
    olive oil
  • 1 tsp
    garlic salt
  • 1 tsp
    onion powder
  • 1/2 tsp
    smoked paprika
  • 1/2 tsp
    dried thyme
  • 1/2 tsp
    sweet mesquite seasoning
  • 1
    lemon

How To Make roasted whole chicken

  • 1
    Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
  • 2
    Rinse the chicken. Remove any innards and rinse the cavity well. Pat the skin very, very dry. Place on your roasting sheet or in a roasting pan.
  • 3
    Cut the lemon into quarters. Use one of the quarters to get the tablespoon of lemon juice.
  • 4
    Mix the butter, oil, garlic salt, onion powder, smoked paprika, thyme, mesquite seasoning and lemon juice.
  • 5
    Place the quartered lemon into the cavity of the bird.
  • 6
    Rub 1/3 of the butter mixture on the breast side of the chicken. Separate the skin from the breast and rub 1/3 of the butter mixture underneath, between meat and skin. Flip the bird over and rub on the remaining butter mixture.
  • 7
    Keep the breast side DOWN. Roast uncovered for 1 hour 10 minutes to 1 hour 20 minutes depending on your oven.
  • 8
    When done, baste with juices from the pan. Flip the bird over and baste again. Lift the skin on the breast and baste one more time.
  • 9
    Enjoy juicy, fabulous deliciousness!
  • 10
    NOTES: Sweet mesquite seasoning can be found at Costco. I like to use the convect roast setting for this, but regular roasting works great!
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