Lemon Roast Chicken is a classic oven roasted chicken recipe that results in a fresh, juicy, and tender chicken dinner option that is both easy and delicious!

Oven roasted chicken gives you a very different from poaching it or even pan frying it. When I make this recipe, my whole family swears that it is the best roast chicken they have ever had!

I love serving this easy lemon Roast Chicken with a side of roasted root vegetables; they go perfectly together!

This roast chicken recipe can also easily be adapted to be made on a rotisserie! Just adjust the cooking time accordingly.

Lemon Roast Chicken on a plate with lemon slices and onion

How to Roast A Chicken

Making a whole roasted chicken seems like a daunting task for many home cooks, but you will be amazed at how easy it actually is!

When you are preparing a roast chicken, begin by rinsing your chicken and dabbing it dry. You want your chicken skin to be as dry as possible so it gets crispy while it roasts (and the seasoning will stick better)!

I create the lemon butter recipe and then lift the skin of the breasts gently and place some of it under the skin. The remaining mixture is rubbed all over the outside. Sprinkle some celery salt or lemon seasoning as well! Marinate for about 30 minutes or so (not longer as the acidity from the lemon juice can dry your chicken out).

Place the chicken in a shallow pan or roasting pan and remember, as soon as it hits the oven, turn the oven down to 375°F. The reason we do this is to allow the oven to cook the chicken at a higher temperature for just a short amount of time. This helps to seal in the juices and crisp up the skin right away! Lemon Roast Chicken on a plate with zucchini and potatoes

How Long to Roast A Chicken

When you roast a chicken, cooking times are imperative. Depending on the size of your chicken, cooking times can vary so I highly recommend using a thermometer!

A fully cooked chicken will have an internal temperature of 165°F when a meat thermometer is inserted into the inner thigh (this takes the longest to be fully cooked).

If you have a larger chicken, trussing it before you roast it will ensure that it cooks as evenly as possible! To truss a chicken, tie the legs together and the wings back with some cooking twine!

Lemon Roast Chicken on a plate

I sometimes broil for a few minutes once it’s ready to crisp up the skin a little bit if needed.

Just like when you make Pork Tenderloin, you’ll want to ensure you allow the chicken to rest before carving (I leave it for about least 15 minutes) to keep it juicy!

Lemon Roast Chicken on a plate with lemon slices and onion
4.99 from 61 votes↑ Click stars to rate now!
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Lemon Roasted Chicken

This is one of our favorite ways to make chicken! Not only is it easy, but it is juicy, tender and filled with flavor!
Prep Time 45 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Total Time 2 hours
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients  

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoon butter softened
  • 1 lemon
  • 3-4 cloves garlic minced
  • salt & black pepper to taste
  • 1 whole chicken approx 3 lbs

Instructions 

  • Zest the yellow rind of the lemon. Cut the lemon in half and juice half of the lemon into a small bowl. Add the rind, olive oil, softened butter, garlic, salt and pepper. Stir well (the mixture should be fairly thick).
  • Gently lift the skin from the chicken breasts and place about 1 tablespoon of the butter mixture under the skin. Massage it evenly across the breasts. 
  • Cover the skin of the chicken with the remaining butter mixture. Refrigerate for 30-45 minutes.
  • Preheat oven to 425°F. Slice the remaining lemon half and place it inside the chicken along with ½ an onion. Tie the legs together. Place the chicken in a shallow pan breast side up and place in oven. 
  • Turn oven down to 375°F and bake for 1 ¼ hours or until the inner thigh reaches 165°F.

Video

Notes

This can also be prepared on the rotisserie.
4.99 from 61 votes

Nutrition Information

Calories: 532 | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 35g | Fat: 41g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Cholesterol: 157mg | Sodium: 184mg | Potassium: 406mg | Vitamin A: 440IU | Vitamin C: 18.1mg | Calcium: 32mg | Iron: 1.9mg

Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.

Course Main Course
Cuisine American

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About the author

Holly is a wine and cheese lover, recipe creator, shopping enthusiast and self appointed foodie. Her greatest passion is creating in the kitchen and making deliciously comforting recipes for the everyday home cook!
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Comments

  1. Very good but I added more lemon also instead of using twine you can just cut into the fat part of the chicken by the cavity opening, put a slit big enough for the leg to go into then cross the other leg and tuck it under it and just bend the wing tips back and tuck under. I only cook the chicken to 160 because as it’s resting covered the chicken will continue to steam cook hitting the 165. If you cook it at 165 then cover it to rest it’ll go up to 170-175 being over cooked somewhat5 stars

  2. Made this today. Had to adjust recipe due to the chicken I bought was almost 6 lbs. I did not adjust garlic though and it was just a bit much for me. And did not quite get lemon. With that said it was still very good.5 stars

  3. Thanks for sharing this tasty chicken recipe. Followed the instructions exactly except for marinating chicken probably 6 hours. I love the idea you can prep it the night before and then just slap it the oven while prepping the veggies. It was SO good!5 stars

  4. How much do you use when baking a chicken breast of the pepper, salt Italian seasoning and paprika? I did not see the recipe mentioned in your article.

  5. Enjoyed this so much! I am in the mts. of NM in a cabin. Should have baked it longer, but finish it in the microwave. Didn’t have a meat thermometer, but my family loved it.4 stars

  6. Made this last night for dinner and it was phenomenal! My 8 and 10 year old kept repeating “this chicken is so good!”. Will definitely be making again.

    1. In step 1, you juice half of the lemon, then add the rind, olive oil, softened butter, garlic, salt and pepper. Enjoy Alice!

  7. look,s good i’m gooda try this cause she want,s a chiken for tukey day and their is only us 2 left…but in iowa we have 5 lb,s chicken,s…do i cook it longer or wait till the pecker pop,s out ???

    1. Depending on the size of your chicken, cooking times can vary so I highly recommend using a thermometer! A fully cooked chicken will have an internal temperature of 165 degrees F when a meat thermometer is inserted into the inner thigh (this takes the longest to be fully cooked). If you have a larger chicken, trussing it before you roast it will ensure that it cooks as evenly as possible! To truss a chicken, tie the legs together and the wings back with some cooking twine!

  8. When you pre-heat the oven to 425, how long does it stay in the oven for? Is it right away when you lower the heat down?