10+ Whole Chicken Recipes You’ll Love to Try Tonight

Cooking a whole chicken is a great way to prepare a delicious, satisfying meal that can feed your family or friends. It’s a versatile dish that works well for many occasions.

Whole chicken recipes give you an easy way to enjoy juicy, flavorful meat. You don’t need to be an expert cook to make a tasty roasted or slow-cooked chicken.

With basic ingredients and simple steps, you can create meals that taste impressive. These recipes are perfect for anyone looking to cook a classic, comforting dish.

Ingredients:

• Whole chicken
• Salt
• Pepper
• Butter or oil
• Herbs (such as rosemary, thyme, or parsley)
• Garlic
• Lemon

Cooking Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
2. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels.
3. Rub butter or oil all over the chicken.
4. Season inside and out with salt, pepper, and herbs.
5. Stuff the cavity with garlic and lemon halves if desired.
6. Place the chicken breast-side up on a roasting pan.
7. Roast for about 1 hour and 15 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
8. Let the chicken rest 10 minutes before carving.

1) Juicy Roasted Chicken with Butter and Herbs

Start by lifting the skin of a whole chicken. Spread a mix of softened butter, garlic, and fresh herbs like rosemary and thyme under the skin.

Rub more butter on the outside and season with salt and pepper. Roast at 425°F (220°C) for crispy skin and juicy meat.

Roast the chicken for about 1 to 1 1/2 hours, depending on its size. Let it rest before carving.

Ingredients

• 1 whole chicken (about 4-5 lbs)
• 4 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp fresh rosemary, chopped
• 1 tbsp fresh thyme, chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
2. Carefully loosen skin from chicken breasts.
3. Mix butter, garlic, rosemary, and thyme.
4. Spread herb butter under the skin and over the bird.
5. Season with salt and pepper.
6. Roast for 60-90 minutes until skin is golden and juices run clear.
7. Rest chicken for 10 minutes before carving.

Try this easy roast chicken recipe for a juicy, flavorful dinner. For more tips, see this Juicy Roasted Chicken Recipe.

2) Best Damn Oven Roasted Whole Chicken with Crispy Skin

This recipe gives you golden, crispy skin and juicy meat inside. Use a basic seasoning blend to bring out the chicken’s natural flavors.

Roast the chicken at a high temperature for crispy skin. Let the chicken rest before carving.

You don’t need many ingredients, and the steps are easy to follow.

Ingredients

• 1 whole chicken (about 4-5 pounds)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon paprika

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
2. Pat chicken dry with paper towels.
3. Rub olive oil all over the chicken.
4. Mix salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. Sprinkle evenly on the chicken.
5. Place chicken breast side up on a roasting pan.
6. Roast for 1 hour and 15 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
7. Let chicken rest for 10 minutes before carving.

For more tips on this method visit the Best Damn Oven Roasted Whole Chicken.

3) Garlic Herb Butter Roast Chicken with Lemon Stuffing

This garlic herb butter roast chicken is easy and full of flavor. Spread garlic and herb butter under the skin and on top.

Stuff the chicken with lemon and fresh herbs for a bright, fresh taste. Roast it on a bed of vegetables to keep it moist and add extra flavor.

The butter melts inside and makes the chicken juicy. Roast until the skin turns deep golden and crispy.

Ingredients

• Whole chicken, giblets removed
• Butter, softened
• Olive oil
• Garlic cloves, minced
• Fresh parsley
• Fresh rosemary
• Fresh oregano
• Lemons, cut in halves or quarters

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
2. Mix butter, garlic, and chopped herbs.
3. Gently loosen the chicken skin and spread butter mixture underneath and on top.
4. Stuff cavity with lemon pieces and more herbs.
5. Rub the outside with olive oil.
6. Place chicken on a vegetable bed if you like.
7. Roast for about 1 hour 15 minutes or until skin is golden and internal temp reaches 165°F (74°C).

4) Salt-and-Pepper Roast Chicken with Mixed Herbs

This recipe is simple and full of flavor. Season a whole chicken with salt, black pepper, and fresh mixed herbs like rosemary, thyme, and sage.

Pat the chicken dry before seasoning to help the skin get crispy. Roast the chicken at 425°F (220°C) until it’s cooked through and golden brown.

The result is juicy meat with crispy skin and a hint of herbal flavor.

Ingredients

• 1 whole chicken (3½ to 4 pounds), patted dry
• 2½ teaspoons kosher salt
• 2 teaspoons black pepper
• Small bunch mixed fresh herbs (rosemary, thyme, sage)

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
2. Rub the chicken inside and out with salt and pepper.
3. Stuff the chicken cavity with the mixed herbs.
4. Place chicken in a roasting pan.
5. Roast for about 1 hour 15 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
6. Let it rest 10 minutes before carving.

5) Ina Garten’s Classic Oven Roasted Chicken and Vegetables

Ina Garten’s recipe roasts a whole chicken with fresh vegetables. Season the chicken with salt, pepper, and fresh thyme.

Stuff the chicken with lemon and garlic for a bright flavor. Roast at 425°F (220°C) for crispy skin and juicy meat.

Vegetables like carrots, onions, and potatoes roast in the same pan. They soak up the tasty juices and make a simple side dish.

Ingredients

• 1 whole (4-5 pound) chicken
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1 lemon, halved
• 1 head of garlic, halved crosswise
• A bunch of fresh thyme
• Mixed vegetables (carrots, onions, potatoes)

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
2. Remove giblets and rinse the chicken inside and out. Pat dry.
3. Generously salt and pepper the chicken inside and out.
4. Stuff the cavity with lemon halves, garlic, and thyme.
5. Place chicken in a roasting pan with vegetables around it.
6. Roast for about 1 1/2 hours or until juices run clear.
7. Let chicken rest before carving and serve with the roasted vegetables.

For more details, check Ina Garten’s recipe for roast chicken and vegetables.

6) Slow Cooker Lemon Garlic Whole Chicken

This slow cooker recipe makes a juicy whole chicken with lemon and garlic flavors. You don’t need to watch it closely while it cooks.

Start by placing lemon slices and whole garlic cloves in the slow cooker. Put your chicken on top.

The lemon and garlic infuse the meat as it cooks. Cook a 4-pound chicken for about 3 hours on high or 5 hours on low.

This slow cooking keeps the chicken moist and easy to carve.

Ingredients

• 1 whole chicken (around 4 pounds)
• 2 lemons, sliced or halved
• 4 whole garlic cloves
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Optional: fresh rosemary or onion for extra flavor

Cooking Instructions

1. Place lemon slices and garlic cloves at the bottom of the slow cooker.
2. Season your chicken with salt and pepper.
3. Put the chicken on top of the lemon and garlic.
4. Cook on high for 3 hours or low for 5 hours.
5. Check that the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C) inside before serving.

7) Crock Pot Whole Chicken with Garlic and Ginger

This crock pot recipe uses garlic and ginger for a simple, tasty meal. You’ll get a juicy chicken with a mild Asian flavor.

Mix soy sauce, water, minced ginger, and garlic. Place your whole chicken in the slow cooker and pour the sauce on top.

Let it cook on low for about 6 hours until the chicken is tender and fully cooked. Serve it with rice or steamed vegetables.

Ingredients:

• 1 whole chicken (about 5 pounds)
• 1/2 cup soy sauce
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger
• 3 cloves garlic, minced

Cooking Instructions:

1. Mix soy sauce, water, ginger, and garlic in a bowl.
2. Place chicken in the slow cooker.
3. Pour the mixture over the chicken.
4. Cook on low for 6 hours or until chicken reaches 165°F (74°C).
5. Remove chicken, let rest, then carve and serve.

8) The Pioneer Woman’s Deep Golden Roast Chicken

This recipe gives you a whole chicken with deep golden brown skin and juicy meat inside. You roast it in the oven for about 1 hour and 15 minutes.

Fresh herbs and lemon add a delicious aroma and flavor. You’ll use butter, fresh rosemary, and lemons to season the chicken.

The butter keeps the meat moist. The herbs and lemon zest give it a fresh taste.

Pat the chicken dry to help the skin get crispy. Roast it at the right temperature for the best results.

Ingredients:

• 1 whole chicken (about 3-4 pounds)
• 1 stick butter, softened
• 2 whole lemons, zested
• 4 sprigs fresh rosemary
• Salt and pepper

Cooking Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Rinse and pat the chicken dry.
3. Rub softened butter all over the chicken.
4. Sprinkle lemon zest, rosemary, salt, and pepper over the chicken.
5. Place chicken breast side up in a roasting pan.
6. Roast for 1 hour 15 minutes or until juices run clear.
7. Let rest a few minutes before serving.

Learn more from The Pioneer Woman’s detailed recipe here.

9) Simple Whole Roasted Chicken with Pantry Staples

You can make a tasty roasted chicken with just a few basic ingredients. This recipe uses simple spices and oil to bring out the chicken’s natural flavor.

Roast the whole chicken at 425°F (220°C) for about 70 to 90 minutes. The skin turns golden, and the meat cooks through.

Ingredients

• 1 whole chicken (4-5 pounds)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil or vegetable oil
• 1 tablespoon garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon onion powder
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
2. Rub the chicken with oil all over.
3. Sprinkle garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper evenly on the chicken.
4. Place the chicken in a roasting pan, breast side up.
5. Roast uncovered for 70 to 90 minutes until juices run clear.
6. Let the chicken rest for 10 minutes before carving.

For more details, check this Simple Whole Roasted Chicken Recipe.

10) Allrecipes’ Foolproof Butter-Seasoned Roasted Chicken

This recipe is simple and tasty. You start by seasoning the chicken with butter.

The butter keeps the chicken juicy and adds great flavor. Rub the butter all over the skin.

Add salt, pepper, and any herbs you like. Some people put lemon inside the chicken for extra taste.

Roast the chicken in the oven at 425°F (220°C). It usually takes about 1 to 1.5 hours.

The skin turns crispy, and the meat stays tender.

Ingredients

• 1 whole chicken (about 4-5 pounds)
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Optional: fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme
• Optional: 1 lemon, halved

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C).

2. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels.

3. Rub softened butter all over the chicken. Make sure to get some under the skin.

4. Season the chicken with salt and pepper. Add herbs if you like.

5. Place lemon halves inside the chicken cavity if you want to use them.

6. Put the chicken breast side up in a roasting pan.

7. Roast for 1 to 1.5 hours. The chicken is ready when the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).

8. Let the chicken rest for 10 minutes before carving.