Roasted Herb Butter Chicken
Roasted Herb Butter Chicken is a simple yet elegant dish that delivers juicy, tender chicken infused with a fragrant blend of fresh herbs and rich butter. With its golden crispy skin and succulent interior, this recipe makes for a comforting and flavorful meal perfect for weeknight dinners or entertaining guests.
- Author: Mary
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50-60 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10-15 minutes
- Yield: 4-6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: American/European
- Diet: Gluten Free
Chicken
- 1 whole chicken (about 4–5 pounds) or bone-in chicken pieces
Herb Butter
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 2 tablespoons fresh rosemary, chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh thyme, chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Additional Ingredients
- 1 lemon, thinly sliced (for garnish and flavor)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Prepare the Herb Butter: Soften the unsalted butter and thoroughly mix it with chopped rosemary, thyme, parsley, minced garlic, lemon zest, salt, and pepper to create a fragrant herb butter mixture that will deeply flavor the chicken.
- Season and Butter the Chicken: Pat the chicken dry with paper towels. Gently loosen the skin from the meat without tearing it, then spread the herb butter evenly underneath the skin and over the surface of the chicken to ensure it is fully coated for maximum flavor and moisture retention.
- Preheat and Roast: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Place the buttered chicken in a roasting pan and drizzle olive oil over the skin. Roast the chicken until the skin is crisp and golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). This typically takes between 50 to 60 minutes depending on the size of your chicken or chicken pieces.
- Rest and Serve: Once roasted, remove the chicken from the oven and allow it to rest for about 10 minutes. This resting period allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, resulting in a flavorful and juicy bite. Carve, garnish with fresh herb sprigs and lemon slices, and serve.
Notes
- Dry the skin thoroughly before roasting to ensure crispy skin.
- Use fresh herbs for a brighter and more vibrant flavor compared to dried herbs.
- Allow the chicken to rest after roasting to lock in the juices and keep the meat tender.
- Use a meat thermometer to check internal temperature for perfectly cooked chicken at 165°F (74°C).
- Butter beneath the skin maximizes flavor infusion instead of just seasoning the surface.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of chicken
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 0.5 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 2 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 40 g
- Cholesterol: 135 mg
Keywords: roasted chicken, herb butter chicken, roasted herb chicken, easy chicken recipe, garlic chicken, lemon herb chicken