Incredible Whole Roasted Chicken with Herbs

This easy, foolproof method for making a whole roasted chicken produces the most tender, juicy results every single time! Salty herb butter gets rubbed beneath the skin before roasting, which seasons the meat and imparts a delicious flavor while keeping the skin ultra crispy. Once you try this whole roasted chicken with herbs it will become a staple in your kitchen!

Why this recipe works

• Super flavorful thanks to a well seasoned herb butter that gets rubbed underneath the skin before cooking. The butter melts down into the meat as it cooks to add seasoning and moisture.
• Thoroughly drying the chicken and letting it sit out at room temperature before roasting at two different temperatures produces a crispy outer skin and juicy meat throughout.
• A digital thermometer tells us when the meat reaches just the right temperature, resulting in a bird that's always moist and never dried out.
• Crowd pleasing, endlessly adaptable and makes fantastic leftovers that can be repurposed in dozens of different ways!

Essential Ingredients

• Whole chicken - Fresh, organic chickens are best, but any whole chicken will do. Size does not matter since we are using a thermometer to determine when its done, however I tend to find smaller is better.
• Herbs - Stick to hardy herbs like thyme, rosemary, marjoram or sage. Use one or a combination -dried or fresh. Avoid soft herbs like dill, chives, basil, parsley and tarragon.
• Aromatics for stuffing - use whatever odds, ends and vegetable scraps you have lying around to add flavor and moisture to the chicken's cavity while roasting. Onions, garlic, celery, carrots, herbs and citrus are all great options.
• Digital Probe Meat Thermometer - Non negotiable, unless you want to play raw chicken roulette. I prefer this type of thermometer that stays in the chicken while it roasts and beeps when it reaches the correct temperature.

Step by Step Instructions

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1. Make the herb butter by mixing chopped herbs, salt and pepper into room temperature butter.

2. Prepare the chicken by removing the giblets and using several paper towels to pat dry on all sides. Get the chicken as dry as possible.

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3. Rub the inside of the chicken's cavity with a generous amount of salt and pepper, then stuff the aromatic vegetables and herbs inside until you can't fit anymore.

4. Spread the herb butter underneath the skin by using a spoon and your fingers. Press and massage the butter under the skin until it's evenly distributed on both sides of the breast.

5. Criss cross the legs and tie them together with a piece of kitchen twine.

6. Drizzle the chicken all over with olive oil, then use your hands to rub it into every nook and cranny. Sprinkle with a light dusting of salt, pepper and the remaining chopped herbs.

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7. Stick the thermometer in the thickest part of the breast, being sure to aim it for the center of the meat. Roast at 350 degrees on the middle rack.

8. When the thermometer reaches 140 degrees F, crank the heat up to 400 and continue cooking until it reaches 160 degrees F.

9. Let the chicken rest for at least 15 minutes before carving.

Tips for Success

• Let your chicken sit out at room temperature for 30 minutes prior to roasting to ensure even cooking.
• For the crispiest skin, be sure to thoroughly dry the inside and outside of the chicken with paper towels before stuffing.
• Seasoning the chicken inside the cavity with salt and pepper will add more flavor to the meat.
• Use a spoon to nestle the butter under the skin, then use your fingers on the outside to press it evenly into place.
• Go lightly when seasoning the outside of the chicken or the skin will taste too salty.
• Never rely on the little plastic pop-up that sometimes comes on a whole chicken to determine when it's done, as they will result in a dry, overcooked bird.

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