Garlic Herb Butter Roasted Chicken with Crispy Skin Recipe

Introduction

This Garlic Herb Butter Roasted Chicken features crispy, golden skin and juicy, flavorful meat infused with fresh herbs and garlic. It’s an easy yet impressive dish perfect for family dinners or special occasions.

Ingredients

• 1 whole chicken (about 4-5 pounds / 1.8-2.3 kg)
• 6 tablespoons (85 grams) unsalted butter, softened
• 6 cloves garlic, minced (about 2 tablespoons)
• 2 tablespoons fresh herbs (rosemary, thyme, parsley), finely chopped
• 1 medium lemon, halved
• 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

Instructions

1. Step 1: Remove the chicken from the fridge about 30 minutes before cooking to bring it to room temperature. Pat it thoroughly dry with paper towels and remove any giblets from the cavity.
2. Step 2: In a small bowl, combine softened butter, minced garlic, chopped herbs, salt, and pepper. Mix until well blended.
3. Step 3: Gently loosen the skin on the chicken breasts and thighs. Spread about two-thirds of the garlic herb butter under the skin, massaging it evenly. Rub the remaining butter all over the outside of the skin.
4. Step 4: Stuff the lemon halves inside the cavity. Optionally, add extra herbs inside and tie the legs together with kitchen twine.
5. Step 5: Drizzle olive oil over the chicken skin and sprinkle a little extra salt and pepper on top.
6. Step 6: Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Place the chicken breast-side up in a roasting pan or oven-safe skillet. Roast for 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes, or until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) in the thickest part of the thigh. Baste halfway through cooking with pan juices. Tent with foil near the end if skin browns too fast.
7. Step 7: Remove chicken from oven and let rest for at least 15 minutes before carving.

Tips & Variations

• Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken is perfectly cooked without drying out.
• Try adding other fresh herbs like sage or tarragon for different flavor profiles.
• For extra crispy skin, pat the chicken very dry and avoid covering it during roasting.
• Leave the lemon halves in the cavity to steam the chicken from the inside, adding moisture and aroma.

Storage

Store leftover roasted chicken tightly covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the oven at 325°F (160°C) or microwave until warmed through to maintain moistness and flavor.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen chicken for this recipe?

It’s best to use fully thawed chicken to ensure even cooking and proper browning of the skin. Thaw the chicken in the refrigerator for 24-48 hours before preparing.

How do I know when the chicken is done?

The most reliable method is to use a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh. When it reads 165°F (74°C), the chicken is safe to eat and perfectly cooked.

Garlic Herb Butter Roasted Chicken with Crispy Skin Recipe

---

★★★★★

4.9 from 92 reviews

• Author: anna
• Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings 1x
• Diet: Halal

Pin Recipe

Print Recipe

Description

A flavorful and easy Garlic Herb Butter Roasted Chicken with crispy, golden skin and juicy, tender meat. This recipe combines garlic, fresh herbs, and butter roasted to perfection in the oven, making it an impressive yet simple meal for family dinners or special occasions.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Chicken

• 1 whole chicken (about 4–5 pounds / 1.8–2.3 kg)

Garlic Herb Butter

• 6 tablespoons (85 grams) unsalted butter, softened
• 6 cloves garlic, minced (about 2 tablespoons)
• 2 tablespoons fresh herbs (rosemary, thyme, parsley), finely chopped
• 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper

Additional Ingredients

• 1 medium lemon, halved
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

---

Instructions

1. Prepare the Chicken: Remove the chicken from the fridge about 30 minutes before cooking to bring it to room temperature. Pat it thoroughly dry with paper towels and remove any giblets from the cavity to ensure even cooking and crispy skin.
2. Make the Garlic Herb Butter: In a small bowl, combine the softened butter, minced garlic, chopped herbs, kosher salt, and black pepper. Mix well until all ingredients are evenly incorporated.
3. Apply the Butter Under and Over Skin: Gently loosen the skin on the chicken breasts and thighs without tearing it. Spread about two-thirds of the garlic herb butter mixture under the loosened skin, massaging it evenly to distribute the flavors. Then, rub the remaining butter mixture all over the outside of the chicken skin for extra richness and crispiness.
4. Stuff and Tie the Chicken: Stuff the halved lemon pieces inside the chicken cavity. Optionally, you can add extra fresh herbs inside for enhanced aroma. Tie the chicken legs together securely with kitchen twine to ensure even roasting.
5. Season and Oil the Skin: Drizzle the olive oil evenly over the chicken skin, then sprinkle a little extra kosher salt and black pepper on top to enhance flavor and aid in browning.
6. Roast the Chicken: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Place the chicken breast-side up on a roasting pan or an oven-safe skillet. Roast for 1 hour to 1 hour and 15 minutes, or until a meat thermometer inserted in the thickest part of the thigh reads 165°F (74°C). About halfway through, baste the chicken with pan juices to keep it moist. If the skin is browning too quickly near the end, tent the chicken loosely with aluminum foil.
7. Rest and Carve: Remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for at least 15 minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring moist, tender meat. Carve and serve.

Notes

• Bringing the chicken to room temperature before cooking helps it cook more evenly.
• Loosening the skin carefully ensures the butter and herbs flavor the meat directly while keeping the skin crispy.
• Basting during roasting helps keep the chicken moist and flavorful.
• Resting the cooked chicken prevents the juices from escaping when carving.
• Use a meat thermometer for best results to avoid overcooking or undercooking.

• Prep Time: 35 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Roasting
• Cuisine: American

Keywords: Garlic Herb Butter Roasted Chicken, Oven Roasted Chicken, Crispy Skin Chicken, One Whole Chicken Recipe, Herb Butter Chicken