Roast Chicken with Garlic Croutons

Golden, juicy, and brimming with savory aroma, this Roast Chicken with Garlic Croutons recipe is the ultimate comfort food centerpiece for your dinner table. A whole chicken is seasoned with a fragrant blend of olive oil, paprika, and fresh thyme, then roasted to perfection with a zesty lemon tucked inside for added moisture and flavor. The dish is elevated with homemade garlic croutons, crafted from crispy ciabatta cubes sautéed in buttery, garlicky goodness. Perfectly paired with the pan juices from the roast, this hearty, crowd-pleasing meal combines simplicity with indulgence. Whether it's a Sunday supper or a holiday gathering, this recipe turns simple ingredients into a stunning culinary masterpiece.

Nutriscore Rating: 70/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:90 mins

Total Time:110 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 whole chicken
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 lemon
• 6 sprigs fresh thyme
• 6 garlic cloves
• 8 cups ciabatta bread
• 3 tablespoons butter

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).

Step 2

Clean the chicken by patting it dry with paper towels. Ensure the cavity is clean.

Step 3

Rub the chicken all over with 2 tablespoons of olive oil, then season generously with salt, black pepper, and paprika.

Step 4

Cut the lemon in half and place it inside the chicken cavity along with 3 garlic cloves and 4 sprigs of thyme. Tie the legs of the chicken together with kitchen twine.

Step 5

Place the chicken breast-side up in a roasting pan or on a rack in a large baking dish.

Step 6

Roast the chicken for approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes, or until the internal temperature reads 165°F (75°C) in the thickest part of the chicken.

Step 7

While the chicken is roasting, prepare the garlic croutons. Cut the ciabatta bread into 1-inch cubes.

Step 8

In a large skillet, melt the butter and remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium heat. Add the remaining 3 garlic cloves (minced) and sauté for 1 minute.

Step 9

Add the ciabatta cubes to the skillet and toss to coat evenly in the garlic butter. Sauté for 6-8 minutes, stirring frequently, until the bread cubes are golden and crispy.

Step 10

When the chicken is fully cooked, remove it from the oven and let it rest for 10 minutes before carving.

Step 11

Serve the roast chicken alongside the garlic croutons with the juices from the roasting pan drizzled on top. Garnish with the remaining thyme sprigs.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(3482.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	6285.7

Total Fat 155.1g	0%
Saturated Fat 29.0g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 5.1g
Cholesterol 203.7mg	0%
Sodium 15732.1mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 1048.9g	0%
Dietary Fiber 70.9g	0%
Total Sugars 2.1g
Protein 229.6g	0%

Vitamin D 6.7IU	0%
Calcium 110.2mg	0%
Iron 70.6mg	0%
Potassium 576.7mg	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: 21.4%

Protein: 14.1%

Carbs: 64.4%