Are you ready for a succulent, perfectly cooked roast chicken infused with rich butter and aromatic herbs? My innovative twist on the classic recipe will take your culinary skills to the next level, and I’m here to help you make it happen.
This recipe is packed with tips and tricks for preparing the most mouthwatering roast chicken you’ve ever tasted. From salt brine to roasted garlic butter, every step will enhance the flavor and texture of your dish. I’ll even show you how to pair it with flavorful vegetables to create a delicious and satisfying meal.
Whether you’re a seasoned chef or a novice cook, this recipe is accessible to everyone. You don’t need a special occasion to make it – it’s perfect for any weekend meal. So, grab your apron and ingredients and get ready to impress your loved ones with a roast chicken that will leave them wanting more.
It’s time to upgrade your roast chicken game and embark on a culinary adventure like no other. Let’s get cooking!
Elevate Your Roast Chicken Game: Preparation Tips for a Perfect Meal
If you’re ready to enhance your roast chicken, we have some preparation tips that will guarantee your success. Before diving into the flavorful details of seasoning the chicken with salt brine, it’s important to have everything ready and set the stage for the perfect roast.
Begin by selecting a fresh and high-quality chicken with firm, plump, and moist skin. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels to help achieve a crispy skin when roasted. Season generously with salt, pepper, and herbs like rosemary, thyme, and garlic to add a fragrant and savory flavor.
Trussing the chicken is essential for even cooking and retaining moisture. Tying the bird’s legs together with kitchen twine will ensure even cooking and a beautiful presentation.
Allow the chicken to come to room temperature before roasting to prevent the center from staying raw while the outside becomes dry. Choose a sturdy roasting pan with high sides and a roasting rack to catch any drippings and elevate the chicken for more even cooking.
With these preparation tips, you’re ready to elevate your roast chicken game. In the next section, we’ll explore how to enhance the flavors even further with salt brine. Get ready to take your culinary skills to the next level and impress your guests with a delicious and savory meal.
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Buttery and Herby Roast Chicken
Equipment
- Roasting Pan another option
- Cast iron skillet another option
- Dutch Oven another option
Ingredients
- 1 3 ½ - 4 lbs Whole Chicken
- 2 sticks Unsalted Butter
- 1 tbsp Smoked Paprika
- 1 bunch Herbs (¼ cup), chopped an assortment (rosemary, sage, parsley)
- 2 Head of Garlic cut in half
- 2 Lemons
- ½ cup White Wine
- Root Vegetables carrots, parsnips, etc.
- Kosher Salt
- Flakey Salt to finish
- Freshly ground black pepper
- Olive Oil
Instructions
Brine
- Place a 3-4 lb. whole chicken on a plastic cutting board that can be sterilized. It's important to note that this size of chicken is ideal for roasting. Anything larger than 4.5 lbs. makes it difficult to ensure that the breast meat stays moist while the dark meat cooks. Next, pat the chicken dry with paper towels. Ensuring the chicken is as dry as possible will aid in the browning process and enhance the flavor.
- Seasoning the entire chicken is essential, including the skin along the backbone, inside the cavity, under wings, and inside part of the leg. This brining process will elevate the taste of the bird. After seasoning with kosher salt, place the chicken on a rack over a cooking sheet and refrigerate uncovered for 24 hours. If you're short on time, reduce the brining time to an hour or two. If that's still too much, simply season the entire bird with salt and pepper.
Seasoning & Buttering
- To begin, preheat your oven to 450℉. Next, cut two garlic heads in half, and place them in an oven-safe ramekin or dish. Season with salt and pepper, and drizzle generously with olive oil. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes.
- Getting butter to room temperature can be a challenge, but it's worth it for easier mixing. Here's a helpful trick: fill a large glass or jar with hot water, pour out the water, and cover the butter so it's surrounded by the warm jar. After 5 minutes, your butter will be perfectly softened and ready for baking.
- Remove the bird from the brine and rinse off the salt. Thoroughly pat the bird dry to ensure it cooks evenly. Let the bird sit at room temperature to take off the chill. Avoid cooking the bird until 30 minutes after it has left the refrigerator.
- With the chicken breast facing up and legs pointing towards you, carefully loosen the skin without tearing it. Using a sharp knife, slice the skin between the leg and breast areas, making an incision about 3 inches long. Keep cutting down until you reach the joint that connects the thigh to the body, then stop. Be careful not to cut through the flesh, as this will be too close to the breast. This makes the leg joint easily visible, which helps you determine when the chicken is cooked. Repeat the same steps on the other side.
- Salt and pepper the entire bird, especially in the cavity. When using kosher salt in your recipe, it's recommended to use 4-5 generous pinches, equivalent to a four-finger pinch, which is roughly 4 teaspoons in total.
- Combine softened butter, lemon zest, smoked paprika, chopped herbs (rosemary, sage, and parsley), and roasted garlic cloves in a medium-sized bowl. Stir the mixture until all ingredients are well combined. Don't worry about making it perfect. To add more spice, include a pinch of cayenne pepper in the butter mixture. For fresh herbs, chop ¼ cup of herbs. For dry herbs, use 1 tsp. Make sure to release the oils of the dry herbs by rubbing them with your hands.
- Enhance the flavor and moisture of your bird by stuffing the butter mixture between the flesh and skin, and spreading any leftover mixture all over the surface. Sprinkle some salt and cracked black pepper for an added touch of seasoning.
- Transfer the chicken breast-side up to an oven-safe cast iron skillet or a wire roaster. Take the zested lemon and slice it. Add the sliced lemons, chopped shallots, leftover herbs, and a garlic head inside the cavity. Also, arrange lemon and garlic cut sides down in a skillet around the chicken to enhance the flavor. Adding carrots and parsnips is also a great addition.
- To the pan, pour ½ cup of white wine. Before placing it in the oven, drizzle some olive oil on top of the bird.
- Roast your chicken until it's browned and fully cooked, which should take around 45 minutes. To verify that it's done, remove your skillet from the oven (be mindful of the hot handle!), poke the knife into the leg joints, and pierce the meat. If the juice is clear, the chicken is fully cooked. If you see any pink, continue roasting and check every 5 minutes until the juice runs clear. If you're still uncertain, you can also use the knife to gently shred a bit of the meat along the thigh bone. The meat should be opaque and the fibers should come apart easily.
- After cooking chicken in a cast iron skillet or rack, allow it to rest for at least 15 minutes before carving. This will ensure that the juices are distributed throughout the meat and bring it down to a suitable temperature for handling. Don't worry, your chicken will still be hot when it's time to serve. Place the chicken on a platter and pour the delicious buttery wine pan juices over it. Serve alongside roasted carrots and parsnips, lemon, and garlic for a mouth-watering meal. Winner, winner, chicken dinner!
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