This roast chicken is simple to make, but complex in flavor with golden-brown, crispy skin and tender, juicy meat. The melted butter helps crisp up the skin while it bakes and all of the fresh herbs and vegetables contribute to the cozy, homey, appetizing flavors. It’s a delicious addition to a variety of chicken pasta recipes, chicken fried rice, chicken salads or in my homemade pot pie. I chose to use melted butter for this recipe because the butter adds this rich and almost creamy flavor to the chicken and helps to enhance is already delicious natural taste. But maybe more importantly, the melted butter helps the skin of the chicken to crisp beautifully in the oven. The fats in the butter help this browning and crisping process. Roast chicken is as much at home on a casual weeknight dinner table as it is at a festive gathering or holiday meal. Whenever you choose to serve it, I hope you love it!
1 whole chicken (about 3-5 pounds): A chicken ranging anywhere from 3-5 lbs. is a convenient choice. This smaller size is easy to handle, they cook evenly and thoroughly without drying out, and it can sufficiently serve 4-6 people. Butter: You will use melted butter for this recipe. Salted or unsalted, whatever you prefer. Lemon: Adding lemon into the cavity of the chicken helps to add flavor, moisture, tenderize the chicken and the aroma is amazing! Fresh herbs (such as rosemary, thyme, and parsley): fresh herbs contribute to the flavor, moisture, aroma, and overall enjoyment of the roast chicken, making it a more flavorful and aromatic dish. Salt and pepper: don’t be shy with the salt. A common recommendation is 1 tsp. of salt per pound of chicken! Additional vegetables for roasting (optional, like carrots, onions, and potatoes)
Chicken Casserole: Mix the chicken with vegetables and a creamy sauce in my hash brown chicken casserole for a comforting casserole. Or you can try this chicken and rice casserole for another variation. Chicken Fried Rice: Combine the chicken with cooked rice, vegetables, and soy sauce, and stir-fry everything together for a simple and tasty fried rice dish. Chicken Salad: So many options for chicken salad! You can make my buffalo chicken salad, or a chicken waldorf salad, or add it into my chopped chicken salad with sesame dressing! Chicken Soup: Simmer the chicken with vegetables like carrots, celery, and onions, along with herbs and stock, to make a comforting chicken soup. You can add noodles or rice for a heartier meal. Chicken Pot Pie: Use the leftover chicken as the main protein in a pot pie, combining it with vegetables, a creamy sauce, and a pie crust. Chicken Stir-Fry: Sauté the chicken with a mix of vegetables and a flavorful sauce, and serve it over rice or noodles for an easy stir-fry. Chicken Tacos or Quesadillas: Shred the chicken and use it as a filling for tacos or quesadillas, adding cheese, beans, and any other desired toppings. Chicken Pasta: Toss chopped chicken with cooked pasta, your favorite sauce (like Alfredo or pesto), and some vegetables for a quick and satisfying meal.
