Idiot Chicken
Make dinnertime a breeze with "Idiot Chicken," the perfect roasted chicken recipe for anyone looking to achieve golden-brown, juicy results with minimal effort. This foolproof recipe calls for a whole chicken rubbed with olive oil, seasoned simply with salt and pepper, and stuffed with aromatic garlic, lemon, rosemary, and thyme for a flavor-packed meal. With just 15 minutes of prep and a heavenly aroma filling your kitchen as it roasts to perfection, this dish is as easy as it is satisfying. Perfect for weeknight dinners or impressing guests, "Idiot Chicken" pairs beautifully with classic sides like roasted vegetables or creamy mashed potatoes. Whether you're a seasoned cook or a culinary newbie, this no-fail method ensures tender meat, crispy skin, and a restaurant-quality experience right at home.
Log this recipe in SnapCalorie
Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 4 lb Whole chicken
- 3 tbsp Olive oil
- 2 tsp Salt
- 1 tsp Black pepper
- 1 whole Lemon
- 4 whole Garlic cloves
- 2 Fresh rosemary sprig
- 4 Fresh thyme sprigs
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
Remove the giblets from the chicken (if included), and pat the chicken dry with paper towels. Drying ensures crispier skin.
Rub the entire chicken (outside and inside the cavity) with olive oil. Use your hands to get an even coating over the skin and cavity.
Sprinkle the chicken generously with salt and black pepper, making sure to season inside the cavity as well.
Cut the lemon in half and insert both halves into the cavity of the chicken along with the garlic cloves, rosemary, and thyme sprigs.
Place the chicken breast-side up in a roasting pan or oven-safe skillet.
Tie the chicken legs together with kitchen twine to ensure even cooking and tuck the wing tips under if they stick out.
Roast the chicken in the preheated oven for about 1 hour and 30 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the thickest part of the chicken (usually the thigh) reads 165°F (74°C).
If the skin starts to brown too quickly, lightly tent the chicken with aluminum foil during the last 30 minutes of roasting.
Remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for 10-15 minutes to allow the juices to settle.
Carve the chicken and serve it warm with your favorite sides like roasted vegetables or mashed potatoes.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
684 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 56.9 g | 73% | |
| Saturated Fat | 10.7 g | 53% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 4.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 136 mg | 45% | |
| Sodium | 4874 mg | 212% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 12.1 g | 4% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 3.2 g | 11% | |
| Total Sugars | 1.5 g | ||
| Protein | 36.5 g | 73% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 84 mg | 6% | |
| Iron | 3.7 mg | 21% | |
| Potassium | 584 mg | 12% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
