Roasting a chicken is one of my skills, but the truth is it couldn’t be simpler. I will henceforth disclose the method I have settled on, which includes aromatics, salt, butter, and little else. Now that I’m sharing this recipe – which, for years was the only thing I really cooked well – all I have left in my repertoire of talent is parallel parking, wearing boots, and a very convincing dead man’s float. I feel bereft yet abundantly selfless. Internet, I give you everything. Please enjoy this chicken with lots of buttered, crusty bread, steamed spinach, sauteed mushrooms, and a glass of wine. Roasting a chicken is super satisfying; it will make your whole family happy.
Roasted Chicken
Ingredients:
- 1 5 lb chicken
- 1 tablespoon butter
- Bunch of rosemary
- 3 cloves of garlic
- salt and pepper
Method:
1. Assemble your cast of characters.
2. Slice garlic. Bash rosemary to release oils. Cut butter.
3. Remove the innards. Rinse the bird in cold water, inside and out. Pat dry really, really well with paper towels, so the chicken won’t steam.
4. Sprinkle the cavity with salt and pepper, stuff it with garlic and rosemary.
5. Tuck pieces of butter under the skin, and rub some all over the chicken’s outside.
6. Truss and tuck. Wings are pinned behind the bird, as if it were relaxing.
7. Use kitchen twine to cinch the chicken, so that it cooks evenly and retains juices. Center the string over the neck, cross over legs and tie in a knot.
8. Rain salt and grind black pepper over the bird.
9. Roast the chicken in a preheated 425 degree oven, for about an hour an a half. Let it rest for ten minutes before you carve.
About the Author: Jillian Bedell
Jillian grew up in Connecticut, went to university in Boston, college in New Haven, did some post-grad soul searching in New York, exiled herself to Mexico, married her longtime sweetheart, and lived in a house on the ocean. She suspected Maine might be the perfect place to raise a family, so she came back home to New England two years ago. Now a mom to Violet Maeve and living in Rockland, where she hopes to settle for a good, long while, Jillian reads, writes, walks, and practices Nia, when not watching Malcolm photograph sandwiches.
fromawaymaine
fromawaymaine
We're Jillian and Malcolm. We cook comfort food from around the world, designed to make you feel right at home, wherever you are. Join us as we explore Maine's vibrant food culture and cook New England's classic dishes, as well as our favorite recipes From Away. 
{ 13 comments… read them below or add one }
Beautiful job with that chicken. I love the shots. And a great classic recipe like this is always a help for all cooks.
You truss a mean chicken
I really do.
Nice job, Jillian. Beautiful skin on the bird. Hope that “Beautiful Violet” is doing well and I know she is surely bringing both you and Malcolm lots of joy. By the way, I have that exact set of utensils (like the meat fork I mean)
Thanks Kaye. Violet is amazing. We hope to bring her down to Yucatan soon.
That is one good looking bird!
Nice looking chicken, though I’m surprised there’s no garlic or lemon. I generally put a whole lemoon in the cavity, squeeze some juice over the bird and put slivers of garlic and tarragon under the breast skin.
Try the chickens that Bisson’s and Curtis Meats both carry–they’re monster birds with incredible flavor.
John,
There is lots of garlic in that bird, three cloves. I have used lemon many times, sometimes an orange – so amazing with rosemary – but I wanted to keep this super simple – and crisp! I keep meaning to get up the road to Bisson’s – thanks for the reminder.
It’s the most beautiful roasted chicken I’ve ever seen. And really nice tutorial
thanks. we really got intimate with that bird.
Isn’t it great when keeping things simple really make it better…? I have “followed” Thomas Keller’s roasted chicken recipe for years and it always turns out as great as yours looks. Fill my place with the smell of roasted chicken on a Sunday and punch my ticket to nap central!
Now, that’s a beautiful bird!
I never make a roast chicken the same way twice either. I love your picture tutorial, looks amazing. Roast Chicken is another of my favorite smells (and tastes) – so simple but so amazing!