Roast Chicken with Lemon and Rosemary
Transform your weeknight dinner into something extraordinary with this classic Roast Chicken with Lemon and Rosemary recipe. Featuring a juicy whole chicken rubbed with rich lemon-infused compound butter and seasoned with garlic, rosemary, and sea salt, this dish delivers a beautifully crisp golden skin and irresistibly tender meat. Paired with a medley of roasted carrots, baby potatoes, and onions, all lightly bathed in olive oil and chicken broth, the vegetables soak up the savory drippings for a perfectly caramelized finish. With vibrant citrusy notes from fresh lemon slices and the aromatic warmth of rosemary, this easy-to-follow recipe is a centerpiece perfect for any family gathering or holiday feast. Ready in just over an hour and serving six, it's a flavorful triumph balance of simplicity and elegance. Tags: roast chicken recipe, lemon and rosemary chicken, easy dinner recipes, family meals.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 3-4 pound bird whole chicken
- 2 whole lemon
- 4 sprigs fresh rosemary sprigs
- 6 whole garlic cloves
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 teaspoons sea salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 4 medium carrots
- 1 large yellow onion
- 1.5 pounds baby potatoes
- 1 cup chicken broth
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
Pat the chicken dry with paper towels, ensuring that the skin is as dry as possible for a crisp finish.
Zest one lemon and cut it in half. Slice the second lemon into thin rounds and set aside.
In a small bowl, mix the softened butter, lemon zest, 1 teaspoon of sea salt, black pepper, and 2 minced garlic cloves to create a compound butter.
Using your fingers, gently loosen the skin over the chicken breast and thighs without tearing it. Spread half of the compound butter underneath the skin, and rub the remaining butter over the chicken's exterior.
Season the chicken cavity with 1 teaspoon of sea salt and stuff it with 2 whole garlic cloves, the halved lemon, and 2 sprigs of rosemary.
Tie the chicken legs together with kitchen string and tuck the wing tips under the body of the bird to ensure even cooking.
Halve the carrots lengthwise and cut the onion into thick wedges. In a large roasting pan, toss the carrots, onion, and baby potatoes with olive oil, 1 teaspoon of salt, and 2 sprigs of rosemary.
Place the chicken on a rack inside the roasting pan, positioning it above the vegetables. Pour 1 cup of chicken broth into the pan to keep everything moist during cooking.
Lay the lemon slices over the chicken's breasts and legs.
Roast the chicken in the preheated oven for 20 minutes at 425°F. Then reduce the temperature to 375°F (190°C) and continue to roast for an additional 70 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C) when measured in the thickest part of the breast or thigh.
Every 30 minutes, baste the chicken with the pan drippings to keep it moist and flavorful.
Once cooked, remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for 15 minutes to redistribute the juices.
Carve the chicken and serve alongside the roasted vegetables. Drizzle with the pan drippings or serve with a side of gravy if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
874 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 48.4 g | 62% | |
| Saturated Fat | 15.8 g | 79% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 254 mg | 85% | |
| Sodium | 993 mg | 43% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 31.0 g | 11% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 5.4 g | 19% | |
| Total Sugars | 4.9 g | ||
| Protein | 75.5 g | 151% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.1 mcg | 1% | |
| Calcium | 94 mg | 7% | |
| Iron | 4.9 mg | 27% | |
| Potassium | 1354 mg | 29% | |
*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.
