Mark Bittman's Basic Roast Chicken Parts with Variations

Elevate your weeknight dinners with Mark Bittman’s Basic Roast Chicken Parts with Variations—a simple, versatile recipe perfect for busy schedules. This quick-prep dish features tender chicken parts seasoned with olive oil, salt, and pepper, and roasted to golden, crispy perfection in just 35 minutes. Customize your chicken with optional flavor boosters like garlic, fresh thyme, lemon slices, or paprika to suit your mood or menu. Ideal for any occasion, this recipe invites you to enjoy a customizable, crowd-pleasing meal served alongside roasted vegetables, fresh salad, or fluffy rice. With minimal effort and maximum flavor, this roast chicken is destined to become your go-to dinner staple! Keywords: roast chicken recipe, crispy roast chicken, easy chicken dinner, customizable chicken.

Nutriscore Rating: 65/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:35 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 4 pieces chicken parts (thighs, drumsticks, or breasts)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 cloves garlic (optional, for variation)
• 2 teaspoons fresh thyme (optional, for variation)
• 1 whole lemon (optional, for variation)
• 0.5 teaspoon paprika (optional, for variation)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C).

Step 2

Pat the chicken parts dry with paper towels to ensure a crispy skin.

Step 3

Rub the chicken parts with olive oil, ensuring an even coating on all sides.

Step 4

Season the chicken generously with salt and black pepper.

Step 5

For variation, you can add crushed garlic cloves, fresh thyme, lemon slices, or paprika. Place the garlic and thyme around the chicken and arrange lemon slices on top for extra flavor if desired.

Step 6

Arrange the seasoned chicken parts in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet or a roasting pan.

Step 7

Roast in the preheated oven for about 35 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and the skin is crispy and golden brown.

Step 8

Remove from the oven and let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Step 9

Serve with your preferred side dishes, such as roasted vegetables, salad, or rice.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(501.3g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	944.2

Total Fat 42.8g	0%
Saturated Fat 8.4g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 340mg	0%
Sodium 2660.4mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 8.9g	0%
Dietary Fiber 2.5g	0%
Total Sugars 1.6g
Protein 125.4g	0%

Vitamin D 52IU	0%
Calcium 78.1mg	0%
Iron 4.8mg	0%
Potassium 1170.5mg	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: 41.8%

Protein: 54.4%

Carbs: 3.9%