The Perfect Roast Chicken Recipe: Juicy, Crispy & Homemade

Crispy, golden roast chicken brings pure comfort to our dinner table tonight.

Fragrant herbs and a perfectly seasoned skin make this classic dish irresistible.

My grandmother’s secret technique ensures every bite bursts with incredible flavor.

Marinating overnight helps develop deep, rich taste that makes people ask for seconds.

Home cooks can easily master this straightforward recipe with just a few simple ingredients.

Tender meat and crackling skin await you in this delightful culinary adventure.

Let’s roll up our sleeves and create something deliciously memorable.

Why Everyone Loves Delia Smith Roast Chicken

• Boost Flavor Complexity: Herb butter and lemon juice create a deeply layered taste profile that transforms ordinary chicken into a gourmet experience.
• Master Technique Perfection: Simple step-by-step method allows home cooks to achieve professional-level roasting skills with minimal culinary expertise.
• Dinner Party Champion: Impressive presentation and rich flavors make this roast chicken an ideal centerpiece for entertaining guests or special family meals.
• Versatile Meal Solution: Pairs beautifully with multiple side dishes and provides delicious leftovers for sandwiches, salads, or next-day meals.

Ingredients in Delia Smith Roast Chicken

• Whole Chicken: A fresh bird perfect for roasting and creating a delicious, golden main course.

• Butter: Provides rich flavor and helps create a crispy, golden skin.
• Rosemary: Adds aromatic herbal notes and enhances the chicken's taste.
• Lemon: Adds bright, citrusy freshness and helps tenderize the meat.

• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance the chicken's natural flavors.
• Onion, Garlic: Create a flavorful base and contribute depth to the pan juices.
• White Wine: Adds moisture and complexity to the roasting liquid.

Instructions to Make Delia Smith Roast Chicken

Step 1: Prepare Chilled Chicken

Remove chicken from refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature. This helps ensure even cooking and juicier meat.

Step 2: Fire Up the Oven

Crank the oven to a blazing 425°F (220°C) to create the perfect roasting environment.

Step 3: Whip Up Herbed Butter Blend

• Fresh herbs (like thyme and rosemary)
• Softened butter
• Freshly squeezed lemon juice

Mix ingredients until well combined and aromatic.

Step 4: Massage Butter Under the Skin

Gently separate chicken skin from the meat using your fingers. Carefully spread most of the herbed butter underneath the skin, ensuring even coverage.

Step 5: Coat Exterior with Remaining Butter

Rub the leftover herbed butter across the chicken’s exterior, creating a golden, crispy skin.

Step 6: Create Flavor Bomb Inside

• Squeezed lemon halves
• Fresh rosemary sprigs
• Crushed garlic cloves

Step 7: Truss and Season the Bird

Tie the chicken legs together with kitchen twine. Tuck wing tips under the body. Generously season with salt and freshly ground black pepper.

Step 8: Prepare Roasting Bed

• Sliced onions
• Whole garlic cloves
• Splash of white wine

Step 9: Roast to Perfection

Place chicken in the oven. Start at high heat for 10 minutes, then reduce temperature to 350°F (180°C). Continue roasting for approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes.

Step 10: Baste for Extra Juiciness

Every 25 minutes, baste the chicken with pan juices to maintain moisture and enhance flavor.

Step 11: Check Doneness

Use a meat thermometer to ensure internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) at the thickest part of the thigh.

Step 12: Rest and Relax

Remove chicken from oven and let it rest for 15 minutes. This allows juices to redistribute, ensuring maximum tenderness.

Step 13: Serve and Enjoy

Transfer chicken to a serving platter. Drizzle with pan juices and surround with roasted garlic cloves. Carve and serve immediately.

Smart Tips for Delia Smith Roast Chicken

• Butter Boost: Gently separate chicken skin from meat to ensure herb butter reaches deep, creating incredibly moist and flavorful meat throughout.
• Temperature Precision: Use a meat thermometer to guarantee perfectly cooked chicken without drying out, aiming for 75°C internal temperature.
• Lemon Magic: Squeeze fresh lemon juice into herb butter and stuff cavity with used lemon wedges to infuse bright, zesty flavors into every bite.
• Resting Rule: Allow chicken to rest 15 minutes after roasting, which helps redistribute juices and ensures tender, succulent meat when carving.
• Wine Wonder: Splash white wine into roasting tray for extra depth of flavor and to create delicious pan juices for serving.

Flavor Twists for Delia Smith Roast Chicken

• Mediterranean Herb Chicken: Replace rosemary with oregano and thyme, use Greek olive oil instead of butter, add kalamata olives to the roasting tray.
• Spicy Cajun Roast: Swap herb butter for Cajun spice blend, stuff cavity with jalapeños and lemon, drizzle with hot sauce before serving.
• Herb-Free Low FODMAP: Omit garlic and onions, use salt and pepper seasoning, replace wine with chicken stock, stuff with lemon and fresh parsley.
• Dairy-Free Roast: Use coconut oil instead of butter, add fresh ginger and turmeric to herb mix, garnish with fresh cilantro and squeeze of lime.

Great Sides for Delia Smith Roast Chicken

• Elevate Citrus White Wine Pairing: Crisp Sauvignon Blanc cuts through the roasted chicken's richness, complementing the lemon and herb flavors with its bright, zesty profile.
• Herb-Infused Companion Dish: Roasted garlic and rosemary potatoes mirror the chicken's aromatic herbs, creating a harmonious side that enhances the main course's delicate seasonings.
• Rustic Mediterranean Salad: Fresh arugula with shaved parmesan and lemon vinaigrette provides a peppery, tangy counterpoint to the succulent roasted chicken, balancing the dish's deep, savory notes.
• Creamy Textural Contrast: Serve a light cauliflower puree alongside the chicken, offering a smooth, velvety complement that absorbs the pan juices and adds elegant depth to the meal.

How to Store Delia Smith Roast Chicken Safely

• Store leftover roast chicken in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep refrigerated for up to 3-4 days, ensuring the meat stays moist and fresh.
• Wrap chicken pieces tightly in plastic wrap, then place in freezer-safe bags. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
• Place chicken on a microwave-safe plate, cover with a damp paper towel. Heat in 30-second intervals, checking temperature to prevent drying out. Ensure internal temperature reaches 74°C for food safety.
• Preheat oven to 165°C. Place chicken in a baking dish, add a splash of chicken broth to maintain moisture.

Frequently Asked About Delia Smith Roast Chicken

• Why should I let the chicken rest after roasting?

Resting allows juices to redistribute, ensuring the meat stays moist and tender when you cut into it. This prevents dry, tough chicken and helps retain all the delicious flavors.

• How do I know the chicken is perfectly cooked?

Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature reaches 75°C in the thickest part of the thigh. This guarantees the chicken is safe to eat and fully cooked without being overdone.

• Can I use dried herbs instead of fresh?

Fresh herbs provide more vibrant flavor, but dried herbs work in a pinch. If using dried, reduce the quantity by about one-third since they’re more concentrated than fresh herbs.

Roast Chicken Recipe

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4.7 from 10 reviews

• Total Time: 115 mins
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Succulent roast chicken elevates home cooking with its golden, crispy skin and juicy interior. Mediterranean herbs and garlic infuse rich, aromatic flavors you’ll savor with each tender, mouthwatering bite.

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Ingredients

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Chicken:

• 1.75 kilograms (2 kilograms) whole chicken

Herbs and Seasonings:

• 12 teaspoons salt
• 12 teaspoons pepper
• 3 rosemary sprigs
• 2 teaspoons rosemary
• 1 tablespoon chopped sage
• 1 tablespoon parsley

Other Ingredients:

• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• 100 grams butter, melted
• 1 lemon, quartered
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 cup white wine or chicken broth
• 1 onion, quartered
• 1 garlic bulb, halved

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Instructions

1. Remove chicken from refrigerator and let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes while preheating oven to 220°C.
2. Create aromatic herb butter, incorporating fresh lemon juice for brightness and depth of flavor.
3. Gently separate chicken skin from meat, carefully spreading most of the herbed butter underneath to ensure moisture and flavor penetration.
4. Massage remaining butter across the exterior of the chicken skin, promoting golden, crispy texture.
5. Fill chicken cavity with squeezed lemon halves and fragrant rosemary sprigs to infuse internal meat with subtle citrus and herbal notes.
6. Truss chicken by securing legs with kitchen twine, folding wing tips underneath, and generously seasoning with salt and pepper.
7. Scatter chopped onions and whole garlic cloves in roasting tray, then deglaze with white wine to create a rich base for pan juices.
8. Roast at 220°C for 10 minutes, then reduce temperature to 180°C and continue cooking for approximately 75 minutes, basting twice to maintain moisture.
9. Verify chicken’s doneness by checking internal temperature reaches 75°C, then allow meat to rest for 15 minutes to redistribute juices.
10. Present roasted chicken alongside caramelized pan juices and meltingly soft roasted garlic for an elegant, flavorful meal.

Notes

• Chill the chicken before roasting to help the skin crisp up and retain moisture during cooking.
• Create a flavorful herb butter by mixing softened butter with fresh herbs for an extra layer of taste and aroma.
• Carefully separate the skin from the meat to distribute the herb butter, ensuring maximum flavor penetration and juicy meat.
• Stuffing the cavity with used lemon wedges and rosemary adds depth of flavor and helps keep the chicken moist during roasting.
• Use a meat thermometer to accurately check the internal temperature, preventing overcooking and ensuring perfectly cooked chicken.
• Let the chicken rest after cooking to allow juices to redistribute, resulting in more tender and succulent meat.

• Prep Time: 30 mins
• Cook Time: 85 mins
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Roasting
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 410 kcal
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 1200 mg
• Fat: 28 g
• Saturated Fat: 12 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
• Trans Fat: 0.3 g
• Carbohydrates: 3 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 35 g
• Cholesterol: 110 mg