Mama's Secret Roast Chicken

Discover the timeless comfort of **Mama's Secret Roast Chicken**, a recipe that transforms simple ingredients into a show-stopping centerpiece. This dish combines a golden, crispy-skinned whole chicken with the aromatic flavors of fresh rosemary, thyme, and garlic tucked beneath the skin and inside the cavity. A medley of tender roasted vegetables—carrots, onions, and celery—soaks up savory pan juices, creating the perfect accompaniment. Balanced with zesty lemon and basted with a rich butter-olive oil blend, every bite is juicy, flavorful, and irresistibly satisfying. Ideal for family dinners or special occasions, this easy yet elegant recipe is guaranteed to become a household favorite. Plus, it’s ready in under two hours with minimal prep, making homemade roast chicken accessible for any cook.

Nutriscore Rating: 68/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:90 mins

Total Time:110 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 1 piece (4-5 lbs) Whole chicken
• 4 tablespoons Unsalted butter
• 6 pieces Garlic cloves
• 2 sprigs Fresh rosemary
• 4 sprigs Fresh thyme
• 1 piece Lemon
• 2 teaspoons Salt
• 1 teaspoon Black pepper
• 2 tablespoons Olive oil
• 2 large Onions
• 3 medium Carrots
• 3 pieces Celery stalks
• 1 cup Chicken broth

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).

Step 2

Remove the chicken from the refrigerator and let it come to room temperature for about 30 minutes to ensure even cooking.

Step 3

Pat the chicken dry with paper towels. This helps the skin crisp up during roasting.

Step 4

Slice the lemon in half and smash the garlic cloves with the flat side of a knife.

Step 5

Stuff the cavity of the chicken with the lemon halves, smashed garlic, one sprig of rosemary, and two sprigs of thyme.

Step 6

In a small bowl, mix 2 tablespoons of the butter with 1 teaspoon of salt, 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper, and the leaves from one sprig of thyme. Gently loosen the skin of the chicken by sliding your fingers underneath it and spread the butter mixture beneath the skin. Be careful not to tear it.

Step 7

Melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter and combine with olive oil. Brush this mixture all over the chicken and season the outside generously with the remaining salt and pepper.

Step 8

Cut the onions, carrots, and celery into large chunks and place them in a roasting pan as a bed for the chicken. This will help elevate the bird and flavor the juices.

Step 9

Place the chicken on top of the vegetables, breast side up. Position the remaining sprig of rosemary on top of the chicken.

Step 10

Add 1 cup of chicken broth to the bottom of the roasting pan to keep the vegetables moist and prevent burning.

Step 11

Roast the chicken in the preheated oven for about 1 hour and 30 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the thickest part of the breast reaches 165°F (74°C) and the thighs reach 175°F (79°C). Baste the chicken with pan juices every 20-30 minutes for a golden, glossy finish.

Step 12

If the skin starts to brown too quickly, tent the chicken loosely with aluminum foil.

Step 13

Once roasted, remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for 15 minutes before carving. This allows the juices to redistribute and keeps the meat tender.

Step 14

Serve the chicken with the roasted vegetables and pan juices. Enjoy Mama's delicious secret recipe!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2912.3g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1229.0

Total Fat 92.0g	0%
Saturated Fat 36.9g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 3.0g
Cholesterol 260.1mg	0%
Sodium 5675.3mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 68.2g	0%
Dietary Fiber 17.0g	0%
Total Sugars 34.5g
Protein 46.1g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 300.3mg	0%
Iron 6.0mg	0%
Potassium 2383.0mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 64.4%

Protein: 14.3%

Carbs: 21.2%