how to roast a chicken
In this guide, we've linked products that will help you. We only recommend products that we know could really help you. There is no extra cost to you, but we may earn a small commission. But! Please always ask permission and help from a parent or guardian.
Roasting is a simple, easy, classic way to cook a chicken, and they are delicious every time!
This recipe is as basic as it gets - with just 5 minutes of prep time, you can pull the finished roast chicken out of the oven in roughly 45 minutes. Give it a try!
Note: In this tutorial, you will be handling raw chicken, and so you need to be super clean and super safe!
Clean your sides after each step.
1. get everything ready!
You will need to have these things ready to go...
- A whole chicken
- Paper towels
- Butter
- Salt and pepper
- A clean surface to work on
-
an oven-proof pot or deep oven tray
-
meat thermometer
- Soap and water to clean yourself up
- A sharp knife
2. preheat the oven
Turn your oven to 230 C, and make sure the rack is in the middle or low position in the oven.
3. dry your chicken
This step is easy to forget, but it is important! Simply dry the chicken thoroughly, inside and out with a disposable paper towel.
We want crispy skin, and so we need it dry to crisp up!
4. season the chicken
Another important step! Sprinkle a little salt inside the chicken, and pour out any extra salt. Rub the skin with a little butter, and salt and pepper the outside of the chicken too. You can also use any herbs and spices you like here too! Put the chicken in the roasting tray.
Sea Salt is a lot tastier than table salt!
5. Prepare the tray
Pour 1/4 cup of lemon juice, 1/2 cup of chicken stock, and 1/2 cup of white wine (optional) around the chicken. This stops the tray burning, and it is a perfect base for your gravy! You can add shallots, garlic and lemon slices for more flavour, if you like.
6. put the chicken in the oven
Put the chicken in the oven on the center rack. After 20 minutes, cover the chicken with kitchen foil (it will have browned, but we want to make sure it is cooked without burning).
Then, after another 10 minutes, turn the oven temperature down to 175 degrees. Keep checking the chicken to make sure that there is some chicken stock in the bottom of the tray. If there isn’t, pour some more in. This juice is a good base for the gravy, and it stops the pan burning.
7. follow the timing
Your chicken will come with cooking instructions. make sure to follow the cooking time on the packet. Once you think it is cooked, check the temperature of the tickest part of the chicken using the meat thermometer. It should read at least 75 Degrees C
8. check the temperature
The safe temperature for cooked chicken is 165° Fahrenheit (75° Celsius). A meat thermometer is your best way to see the temperature of your chicken. It should be inserted into the thickest part of the chicken, but not touching bone. If you need a meat thermometer, you can get one here.
9. rest and serve!
If your chicken is up to temperature, it's nearly done! The last step is to take it out of the oven, cover it up again with kitchen foil, and let it rest for 15 minutes. Resting the meat lets the muscles relax and hold on to the juices. If you slice it straight away, the juices will come pouring out!
