I’ll admit, I’m a sucker for Costco’s roasted chicken.

For that price, it’s my grab-and-go-to for those weeks I really don’t feel like cooking.

But I try not to make it a habit because of all the ingredients they add (salt, corn starch, sugar, etc.).

Instead, I look for raw chickens on sale and roast them myself!

Trust me, it’s super easy, and you’ll love how you can customize the taste and texture.

And once you get the hang of it, roasted chicken will become your go-to for easy cozy meals and lots of leftovers.

Check out these 70 ways to use a roast chicken!

Roast Chicken Recipe

This recipe keeps things simple so you can enjoy perfectly roasted chicken with crispy skin and juicy meat every time.

With just a handful of ingredients and a bit of patience, you’ll have a comforting meal that feels like a treat but is actually easy to pull off.

Ingredients

• 1 whole chicken (about 4 lbs)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 lemon, halved
• 4 garlic cloves, smashed
• Fresh herbs (rosemary or thyme sprigs), optional

Steps

1. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Pat the chicken dry with paper towels to help the skin crisp up.
2. Rub olive oil all over the chicken, then sprinkle salt, pepper, garlic powder, and dried thyme evenly on the skin and inside the cavity.
3. Place the lemon halves, smashed garlic cloves, and fresh herb sprigs inside the chicken cavity.
4. Place the chicken breast-side up on a roasting pan or oven-safe skillet. Roast for about 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C).
5. Remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for 10-15 minutes before carving. This keeps the juices locked in for tender meat.
6. Carve the chicken and serve with your favorite sides for a cozy, delicious meal.

Can I roast a chicken in the slow cooker?

You definitely can cook a whole chicken in a slow cooker, and it’ll come out super tender…but don’t expect crispy skin.

The slow cooker keeps everything moist, which is great for juicy meat, but if you want that golden, crackly skin, you’ll need to finish it under the broiler or pop it in a hot oven for a few minutes at the end.

How do I make my roasted chicken crispy?

The trick to crispy skin is drying the chicken really well before seasoning and roasting it at a high enough temperature.

Pat it completely dry with paper towels, rub it with a little oil, and don’t crowd the pan so the heat can circulate.

Also, giving it some space on a rack helps the heat crisp up all sides evenly.

What are some good roast chicken rubs?

I love keeping it simple with classic combos like garlic, thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper.

For something with a bit of a kick, paprika and cayenne mix really well with lemon zest and garlic powder.

If you want to get a little adventurous, try a blend with cumin, coriander, and smoked paprika for a warm, earthy flavor.

The best part? You can mix and match to find your favorite!

Enjoy Your Tender & Juicy Roasted Chicken

Roasted chicken like this is a total game changer for weeknight dinners or lazy weekends. It’s simple to make but feels special enough to impress anyone at the table.

Once you’ve tasted that crispy skin and juicy meat, you’ll want to keep coming back to this recipe again and again.

Roast Chicken

This tender and juicy roast chicken comes out perfectly golden on the outside and packed with flavor on the inside, with simple seasoning and easy steps anyone can follow.

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Ingredients

  

• 1 whole chicken about 4 lbs
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 lemon halved
• 4 garlic cloves smashed
• Fresh herbs rosemary or thyme sprigs, optional

Instructions

 

• Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Pat the chicken dry with paper towels to help the skin crisp up.
• Rub olive oil all over the chicken, then sprinkle salt, pepper, garlic powder, and dried thyme evenly on the skin and inside the cavity.
• Place the lemon halves, smashed garlic cloves, and fresh herb sprigs inside the chicken cavity.
• Place the chicken breast-side up on a roasting pan or oven-safe skillet. Roast for about 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C).
• Remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for 10-15 minutes before carving. This keeps the juices locked in for tender meat.
• Carve the chicken and serve with your favorite sides for a cozy, delicious meal.