There’s nothing more comforting or impressive than a perfectly cooked Garlic Butter Roast Chicken. This recipe guarantees an incredibly juicy, flavorful bird with irresistibly crispy, golden-brown skin. Forget dry, bland chicken; this is the only roast chicken recipe you’ll ever need. It’s the perfect centerpiece for a Sunday dinner, a holiday meal, or even a simple weeknight feast.
We combine rich butter, fragrant garlic, and fresh herbs, slathering it under the skin and all over the chicken. This technique ensures every single bite is infused with flavor while the butter bastes the meat as it cooks, resulting in a tender, moist chicken. Get ready to receive rave reviews from your family and friends!
Why This Garlic Butter Roast Chicken Recipe is a Must-Try
This isn’t just another chicken recipe. This is a method perfected to deliver flawless results every time. Here’s why it stands out:
- Unbelievably Juicy Meat: Creating a compound butter and placing it under the skin is the secret. It melts into the meat, keeping it succulent and tender during the roasting process.
- Perfectly Crispy Skin: Patting the chicken dry and roasting at the right temperature ensures that coveted crispy, golden-brown skin that everyone loves.
- Packed with Flavor: A simple yet powerful combination of garlic, butter, lemon, and herbs creates a classic, savory flavor profile that is both elegant and comforting.
- Surprisingly Simple: While the result looks like it came from a gourmet kitchen, the steps are straightforward and easy for cooks of all skill levels to follow.
The Key Ingredients for a Perfect Roast Chicken
The magic of this recipe lies in its simplicity and the quality of its ingredients. You don’t need a long, complicated list to create a show-stopping meal.
For the Chicken
- Whole Chicken: A 4-5 pound whole young chicken is ideal. Look for one that is fresh, plump, and has no blemishes.
- Lemon & Garlic: A lemon and a head of garlic are quartered and halved, respectively, to stuff inside the chicken cavity. This infuses the bird with aromatic flavor from the inside out.
- Onion: Used as a natural roasting rack, it elevates the chicken and flavors the drippings.
For the Garlic Herb Butter
- Unsalted Butter: Use good quality butter, softened to room temperature for easy mixing.
- Fresh Garlic: Finely minced fresh garlic is essential for that signature taste.
- Herbs: A combination of fresh thyme and rosemary adds a classic, aromatic depth.
- Salt and Pepper: For seasoning the chicken inside and out.
How to Make the Perfect Garlic Butter Roast Chicken (Step-by-Step)
Follow these steps closely for a chicken that’s roasted to golden-brown perfection. The key is in the preparation and technique.
Step 1: Prepare the Chicken
First, preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Remove the chicken from its packaging and take out any giblets from the cavity. Pat the chicken thoroughly dry with paper towels, both inside and out. This step is crucial for achieving crispy skin, so don’t skip it!
Step 2: Make the Garlic Herb Butter
In a small bowl, combine the softened butter, minced garlic, chopped thyme, chopped rosemary, salt, and pepper. Mix until it forms a smooth, spreadable paste. This compound butter is the heart of our Garlic Butter Roast Chicken.
Step 3: Season the Chicken Generously
Gently separate the skin from the chicken breast and thighs. Be careful not to tear it. Take about two-thirds of the garlic herb butter and rub it directly onto the meat underneath the skin. Spread the remaining butter all over the outside of the chicken. Season the entire chicken, including the cavity, liberally with salt and pepper. Stuff the cavity with the quartered lemon, halved head of garlic, and onion quarters.
Step 4: Roast to Golden Perfection
Place the chicken on a roasting rack in a roasting pan. If you don’t have a rack, you can create one with thickly sliced onions or carrots. Roast for 1 hour to 1 hour and 30 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the thickest part of the thigh reaches 165°F (74°C). If you’re looking for another amazing chicken dish, you might love this Lemon Herb Roast Chicken (coming soon).
Step 5: Rest, Carve, and Serve
Once cooked, transfer the chicken to a cutting board and let it rest for 15-20 minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring a moist and tender chicken. Do not skip this step! Carve the chicken and serve immediately with the pan drippings. For a cozy weeknight meal, this Cheesy Hamburger Rice Casserole is another family favorite.
Tips for the Crispiest Skin and Juiciest Meat
Achieving that perfect balance of crispy skin and juicy meat is the ultimate goal. Here are a few expert tips:
- Start with a Dry Bird: Moisture is the enemy of crispy skin. Patting the chicken completely dry before seasoning is the most important step.
- High Heat Roasting: Roasting at a higher temperature like 425°F helps render the fat quickly, crisping up the skin beautifully.
- Don’t Baste (At First): Basting can add moisture to the skin, making it less crispy. The butter under the skin will keep the meat moist. If you want to baste, do so only in the last 20-30 minutes of cooking.
- Rest is Best: Letting the chicken rest before carving is non-negotiable. It prevents the flavorful juices from spilling out onto the cutting board.
What to Serve with Your Roast Chicken
A beautiful roast chicken deserves equally delicious sides. Here are some classic pairings that complement the rich flavors of the garlic and butter:
- Potatoes: Roasted, mashed, or scalloped potatoes are a classic choice.
- Vegetables: Try these simple Maple Glazed Carrots (coming soon) or some delicious Roasted Acorn Squash.
- Salad: A simple green salad with a vinaigrette dressing provides a fresh contrast.
- Bread: Crusty bread is perfect for soaking up the delicious pan juices.
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
Leftover roast chicken is fantastic for sandwiches, salads, or soups. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, place the chicken in an oven-safe dish with a splash of chicken broth, cover with foil, and warm at 350°F until heated through. This method helps keep the chicken from drying out.
Frequently Asked Questions
The most critical step for crispy skin is to start with a very dry chicken. Pat the entire chicken, inside and out, with paper towels until it’s completely dry before you add any butter or seasoning. Roasting at a high temperature also helps.
A 5 lb chicken typically takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes to 1 hour and 30 minutes to roast at 425°F. However, the most reliable way to check for doneness is with a meat thermometer. The internal temperature in the thickest part of the thigh should read 165°F (74°C).
You should not cover the chicken with foil for the majority of the roasting time, as this will steam the skin and prevent it from getting crispy. If you notice the skin is browning too quickly, you can tent a piece of foil over the top during the last 20-30 minutes of cooking.
The best temperature for roasting a chicken to get both juicy meat and crispy skin is 425°F (220°C). The high heat helps to render the fat in the skin quickly, making it golden and crisp, while cooking the chicken through perfectly.
Resting the chicken for 15-20 minutes after it comes out of the oven is essential. It allows the muscle fibers to relax and the juices to redistribute throughout the meat. If you carve it too soon, all the delicious juices will run out onto the cutting board, resulting in drier meat.
More Delicious Dinner Recipes
Garlic Butter Roast Chicken (The Juiciest, Crispiest Recipe)
Ingredients
Equipment
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Remove chicken giblets. Pat the outside and inside of the chicken completely dry with paper towels.
- In a small bowl, mix together the softened butter, minced garlic, chopped thyme, chopped rosemary, salt, and pepper until well combined.
- Gently loosen the skin over the breast and thighs. Rub about two-thirds of the garlic butter mixture directly onto the meat under the skin. Spread the remaining butter all over the outside of the chicken. Season the cavity with salt and pepper.
- Stuff the cavity with the quartered lemon, halved head of garlic, and onion. Tie the legs together with kitchen twine.
- Place the chicken, breast-side up, in a roasting pan or large oven-proof skillet. Roast for 1 hour to 1 hour 30 minutes, or until the juices run clear and a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh reads 165°F (74°C).
- Transfer the chicken to a carving board and let it rest for 15-20 minutes before carving. This is crucial for a juicy chicken. Serve warm.
Notes
Resting is Essential: Allowing the chicken to rest before carving lets the juices redistribute throughout the meat, resulting in a much juicier bird.
Share Your Creation!
We hope you love this Garlic Butter Roast Chicken recipe as much as we do! If you make it, please leave a comment below and let us know how it turned out. Don’t forget to save it to Pinterest for later!
