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–+ servings
Delicious roasted chicken served with fresh lemon slices and herbs, perfect for a flavorful and healthy meal.
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5 from 1 vote

Lemon and Thyme Roasted Chicken

Lemon and Thyme Roasted Chicken is the kind of slow-roasted, Sunday dinner that fills the house with the best aroma. Perfectly roasted with tender meat and crispy skin, it’s a dish that feels fancy without being fussy.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time2 hours 30 minutes
Total Time2 hours 40 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: how to roast a whole chicken, roasted whole chicken
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 3360kcal
Author: Mindy Boyd

Ingredients

  • 1 whole whole chicken about 7 ½ pounds
  • fresh thyme
  • 1 lemon
  • 2 cloves minced garlic
  • ¼ teaspoon salt or to taste
  • ¼ teaspoon pepper or to taste
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350°F.
  • Remove the neck and giblets. Trim excess fat and pat the chicken dry with paper towels.
    1 whole whole chicken
  • Loosen the skin from the breast by gently running your fingers between the breast and skin.
  • Tuck two fresh thyme sprigs under the loosened skin over the breast.
    fresh thyme
  • Stuff the cavity with lemon halves, additional fresh thyme sprigs, garlic, salt, and pepper.
    1 lemon, 2 cloves minced garlic, ¼ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon pepper
  • Brush the outside of the chicken with olive oil.
    1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Place the chicken in a roasting pan and roast, uncovered, for 20 minutes per pound, or until a meat thermometer reads 180°F in the thickest part of the thigh.
  • Let the chicken rest for 15 minutes before carving and serving.

Notes

If you have a roasting pan with a roasting rack you can use them. 
I let my chicken sit out at room temperature for about 30 minutes before roasting it. 
Line the bottom of the pan with parchment paper for easier cleanup.
 
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Nutritional information is approximate. 
 
See ingredient notes and substitutions in the post above.
 
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Nutrition

Nutrition

Serving: 1/6th of the recipe | Calories: 3360kcal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Protein: 420g | Fat: 190g | Saturated Fat: 52g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 30g | Monounsaturated Fat: 80g | Cholesterol: 1260mg | Sodium: 1350mg | Potassium: 3300mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 140IU | Vitamin C: 25mg | Calcium: 50mg | Iron: 18mg