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lemon and herb roasted chicken

Lemon and Herb Roasted Chicken

Diana Rattray
This simple lemon and herb roasted whole chicken is surrounded by Cipollini onions or small pearl onions. Add small new potatoes to the pan if you like.
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Servings 4 servings
Calories 433
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 35 minutes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 whole chicken, about 4 pounds
  • 2 tbsp butter, softened
  • 1 tsp finely grated lemon zest
  • 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves, or 1 teaspoon dried leaf thyme
  • 2 tsp fresh chopped sage, or 1/2 teaspoon dried leaf sage
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • ½ tsp kosher salt
  • ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil, divided
  • 1 large onion
  • 1 lemon
  • fresh thyme sprigs and sage leaves (optional), optional
  • 12 small whole cipollini onions or pearl onions (optional), peeled

Recommended Equipment

Instructions

  • Heat the oven to 375 F.
  • Remove the giblets and discard them or save them for another use. Pat the chicken dry and place it in a roasting pan or baking dish.
    1 whole chicken
  • In a small bowl or cup, combine the butter, lemon zest, thyme, sage, garlic, salt, and pepper. Gently separate the skin from the breast and tuck the butter mixture under the skin on both sides.
    2 tbsp butter | 1 tsp finely grated lemon zest | 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves | 2 tsp fresh chopped sage | 2 cloves garlic | 1/2 tsp kosher salt | 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
  • Brush the skin with 1 tablespoon of olive oil.
    1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • Cut the large onion and lemon into chunks and put them in the cavity. If you have fresh herbs, place a few thyme sprigs and sage leaves in the cavity.
    1 large onion | 1 lemon | fresh thyme sprigs and sage leaves (optional)
  • Tie the ends of the drumsticks together.
  • Toss the onions with the remaining olive oil and add to the pan around the chicken.
    12 small whole cipollini onions or pearl onions (optional) | 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • Roast for about 20 minutes per pound, or until the chicken registers at least 165 F on an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of a thigh. Juices should run clear.
  • Remove the chicken from the oven and tent with foil; let rest for about 10 minutes before serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 433kcalCarbohydrates: 7gProtein: 42gFat: 26gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.2gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 147mgSodium: 460mgPotassium: 100mgFiber: 1gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 182IUVitamin C: 18mgCalcium: 20mgIron: 0.3mg

Disclaimer:

Our nutritional information is based on a third-party application that analyzes the ingredients list to determine the values. The information is meant to be helpful, but should be considered an estimate. Values may differ depending on measurements, brands, serving variations, and database availability.

Keyword herbs, lemon herb roasted chicken, lemons, roasted chicken, whole chicken
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