Name: Roasted Whole Chicken
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 2 h 30 min
Total time: 2 h 50 min
Yield: 5
Ingredients: 1 whole chicken; 6 tablespoons olive oil; 2 tablespoon lemon juice; 4 tablespoons Yogurt; 2 teaspoon salt; 1 teaspoon black pepper; 1 teaspoon hot paprika; 2 tablespoon dried herbs

Roasted Whole Chicken

Roasting a whole chicken is a fundamental cooking technique that transforms a simple ingredient into a flavorful, crispy-skinned delicacy. The process involves cooking an entire chicken in an oven, allowing its natural juices and seasonings to create a delicious, golden-brown result. Key elements include seasoning thoroughly and controlling oven temperature to ensure even cooking and crisp exterior. Brining is an optional but recommended step that involves soaking the chicken in saltwater, which helps retain moisture and enhance flavor. The goal is to achieve meat that's tender and juicy throughout, with skin that's crackling and well-seasoned.

Cuisine: Continental Courses: Main-dish Recipe Tags: B Brining R roasted

Comforting

Prep Time 20 mins Cook Time 150 mins Total Time 2 hrs 50 mins Servings: 5

Ingredients

5 servings

Ingredients:

1 whole chicken (with skin 1.7-2 kg)

To the marinade

6 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoon lemon juice
4 tablespoons Yogurt (optional)
2 teaspoon salt (coarse)
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon hot paprika
2 tablespoon dried herbs (mixture of Oregano, rosemary, thyme, and other herbs you like)

Instructions

Brine and Marinade-

Before preparing the chicken, let it go through the ‘Brine’ process for a day, as we previously learned (see “Chef Patrick’s Tips – Brine”).
After removing the chicken from the Brine, rinse and dry well and transfer the chicken to the marinade you like for a few hours, preferably overnight.
These steps are not mandatory but will give you a significant upgrade both in terms of the chicken’s softness as well as the depth of flavors, and you will definitely enjoy a perfect chicken!
And if you did not plan correctly and do not have the time, you will go straight to the recipe offered here and will get an excellent result as well thanks to the low-temperature cooking.

Preparation-

Initial baking:
1. Preheat an oven to 140 C (yes, 140 degrees!))
2. Wrap the chicken well in the marinade.
3. Place the chicken on a baking sheet with the breast facing up.
4. Place a baking paper over the chicken and seal the pan with aluminum foil
5. Roast for about an hour and a half, or until the chicken is completely cooked.

(It is recommended to check with a thermometer - when inserted into the center of the chicken breast it should reach an internal temperature of 70 degrees Celsius. Another way to check - make an incision in the chicken breast or thigh area, the liquid should be completely clear without any signs of blood.)
*If the chicken is not cooked enough - seal the pan back and return to the oven for another 15 minutes and if necessary, even more.

Browning:
1. Preheat the oven to 220 degrees (can be combined with a top grill)
2. Return the pan to the oven without covering it for 15-20 minutes, turn the chicken over until the skin is golden from all directions.
3. Remove from the oven and set aside for a few minutes before slicing the chicken.

Note

Tips:

While baking the chicken, you can add to the pan half-cooked potatoes or other vegetables you like and season with the same seasoning of the chicken. You will get full flavored vegetables thanks to the cooking liquids.

Be careful not to tear the skin – A skin that wraps the meat well will keep it from drying out and ensure juiciness.
Another great option is to add lemon and herbs to the chicken 'belly' which will ensure additional flavors and aromas..
You can grill on a roasting net - place the chicken on the oven grid, place a pan with water under the grid with the chicken, that will absorb the fat and liquids that will be dribbled from the chicken. Add the vegetables to this pan and make sure to place the grid with enough space that it will not block the hot air from the bottom of the chicken.

Enjoy,

Roasted Whole Chicken