How to Make a Perfect Roast Chicken

Roasting a chicken can be challenging as it’s easy to either overcook and dry out the breast or undercook and need to return it to the oven, resulting in a super dry bird. This guide provides step-by-step instructions to ensure you end up with a perfectly moist chicken. Follow along to roast a chicken that is juicy and flavorful every time!

Perfectly Moist Roasted Chicken Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 whole chicken (about 5 pounds)
• Fresh herbs (rosemary, thyme, sage) or half a lemon/lime, or smashed garlic
• Quartered apple and celery with leaves (optional)
• Salt
• Pepper
• Paprika
• Cumin
• Garlic powder
• Cinnamon
• Chili powder
• Kitchen twine

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Prepare the Chicken:
   • Rinse and thoroughly dry the chicken.
   • Place the chicken on a roasting pan rack.
3. Fill the Cavity:
   • Fill the cavity with your choice of fresh herbs, half a lemon or lime, smashed garlic, or a combination.
   • Optional: Add a quartered apple and some celery with leaves for added flavor.
4. Make the Rub:
   • Create a rub using salt, pepper, paprika, cumin, garlic powder, cinnamon, and chili powder.
   • Apply the rub evenly over the chicken. Alternatively, you can simply use salt and pepper.
5. Prepare for Roasting:
   • Tie the chicken legs together with kitchen twine and tuck in the wings.
   • Place the chicken breast side down on the roasting rack.
6. Initial Roasting:
   • Roast the chicken for 30 minutes to ensure the breast remains moist and to brown both sides evenly.
7. Flip the Chicken:
   • Carefully remove the chicken from the oven and flip it breast side up. Reduce the oven temperature to 350°F (175°C).
8. Finish Roasting:
   • Return the chicken to the oven and continue roasting until the juices run clear from the leg when separated from the body, or a meat thermometer registers 170°F (77°C) when inserted in the deepest part of the thigh. Cooking times will vary based on the size of the chicken, but a 5-pound bird typically takes about 1 1/2 hours.
9. Rest the Chicken:
   • Allow the chicken to sit for 10 minutes before carving. This helps the juices to settle.
10. Serve and Enjoy:

• Carve the chicken and serve. Enjoy your perfectly moist and flavorful roasted chicken!

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