Simple Roast Chicken Recipe

Few meals are as satisfying as a juicy roast chicken with schmaltzy roasted vegetables. To me, it is true comfort food. And while there are plenty of tricks for making an exemplary bird—wet brining, dry brining, spatchcocking—they all require some real forethought. And sometimes I just don’t have it in me.

While photos of perfect, golden roast chickens tempt me to try new-fangled tricks, I always default to my tried-and-true method without regret. This simple roast chicken is just that: simple. There’s no planning ahead beyond the cook time, and no special ingredients to hunt down. You can pick up a chicken from the grocery store, come home, and cook it. Easy as that.

No Bells and Whistles Required

The best thing about this recipe is its simplicity. That, and it yields a perfectly succulent roast chicken. Over years of roasting, I’ve found 400°F to be the just-right temperature for moist meat and lightly crisp skin with no need to baste or babysit. 

Don’t have a roasting pan? No sweat, neither do I! You can use a Dutch oven (my favorite, 5-quart or bigger), big cast-iron pot, or rimmed baking sheet. 

I like to roast chicken on a bed of veggies since it elevates the bird and helps it to cook and brown a bit more evenly. Plus, you can eat the schmaltzy vegetables as a side dish. Root veggies like carrots, turnips, and parsnips work well, as do potatoes, whole garlic cloves, big chunks of onion, fennel, and more. Even a large diced apple is nice. Use whatever you have on hand.

How to Make a Perfect Roast Chicken

While this recipe couldn’t be easier, there are a few aspects that are key to success.

• Start with a good chicken: Organic is ideal, and air-chilled is preferred. Four pounds or less means a more tender bird, but up to five pounds is fine. Make sure it’s fresh (check the sell-by date) and, if you’re starting from frozen, let it thaw completely in the fridge first (this can take up to 2 days). 
• Season well: Don’t forget to season the cavity as well as the outside of the bird with salt. Stuffing the cavity with aromatics adds even more flavor.
• Watch the clock: The worst thing you can do for a chicken is overcook it. Use the calculation in the recipe below, but check it even earlier. The cook time can range depending on your oven.
• Use a thermometer: This is non-negotiable in my book. The old trick of waiting for the juices to run clear doesn’t always work, and a thermometer is the only way you’ll know if your chicken is safe to eat without cooking it to death.
• Give it a rest: Don’t skip the resting time at the end. Otherwise you’ll cut into a piping hot chicken and lose tons of moisture in the process, all while burning your fingers. Plus, it’ll give you the perfect amount of time to set the table, prep a salad, and pour wine.
• Make stock: Don’t toss out those bones! After dinner, pick off any excess skin and stick the whole carcass in a zip-top freezer bag. Freeze until you’re ready to make chicken stock.

For Bonus Points, Use Butter

If you’re in a rush or feeling lazy, you can skip the butter treatment. However, if you have an extra three minutes and don’t mind getting your hands dirty, it makes a real difference. As the butter under the skin melts, it bastes the meat for you, ensuring it is moist and flavorful.

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