There’s something about a roast chicken that calls out, “gather round the table.” Maybe it’s the unmistakable scent of schmaltz, the chicken fat crisping golden in the oven. Or maybe it’s the thrill of pulling off a bit of burnished skin just to taste a bite before it’s shared with everyone. For many Jewish families, roast chicken is a centerpiece on the Shabbat table – reliable, uncomplicated and endlessly adaptable. Each family makes it their own: maybe you spice yours with za’atar, cover it in teriyaki sauce, or stew it in pomegranate juice. However you doll up your chicken, few things are as familiar and satisfying.
If you’re new to cooking, and feel intimidated about trying to roast a chicken, you might be surprised by how simple it is to do it successfully. This recipe relies on tried and true techniques that ensure you’ll end up with a juicy chicken that you’ll be proud to serve to friends and family. No special equipment is required; you can use anything from a cast iron skillet to a Pyrex casserole dish. If you’re in a pinch, a disposable tin baking dish works, too. We’ve also made it easy to make swaps and adjustments to your liking.
A few smart steps make all the difference: generous seasoning both inside and out, a splash of liquid in the bottom of the pan to create steam and a savory pan sauce, and roasting the chicken over a bed of hearty vegetables. Those vegetables do double duty: They elevate the bird so it cooks evenly (no need for a roasting pan), and they soak up all the flavorful juices as it roasts. A whole head of garlic, some fresh herbs and a halved lemon tucked inside add a heady aroma with little effort. Once you start regularly roasting chickens, you may need to pull up a few extra seats at your table.
Notes:
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- To make ahead: Fully roast the chicken and vegetables and allow to cool. Store covered in the refrigerator for up to two days. Reheat, covered at 375°F until warmed through. The skin will not stay crispy, but the meat will still be juicy and tender.
- Swap potatoes for equal weight of fennel (about 1 large) or parsnips (about 2 medium). Alternatively you can swap them for additional onions or carrots.
- Use any combination of herbs, or simply use 3-4 sprigs of rosemary or 1 bunch thyme. Sage and tarragon also work well here.
- Swap a lemon for orange, if desired.
- Add any additional spices you like, such as: paprika, sumac, harissa, turmeric and more.
The Best Roast Chicken Recipe for Shabbat
This recipe for roasted chicken relies on tried and true techniques that ensure you’ll end up with a juicy chicken that you’ll be proud to serve to friends and family.
- Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
- Yield: Serves 4-6
Ingredients
- 1 (4-5 lb) chicken
- ¾ lb (340 g) potatoes, any variety, about 3–4 medium Yukon Golds
- ½ lb (230 g ) onions, about 2 medium (any color)
- ½ lb (230 g) carrots, about 2–3 medium
- ½ cup white wine, chicken stock, or water
- 6–8 sprigs of fresh herbs, like rosemary, thyme and/or parsley
- 1 whole lemon
- 1 head of garlic
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- kosher salt, as needed
- black pepper, as needed
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425°F. While the oven is preheating, remove the chicken from the refrigerator; ideally, let your bird come up to room temperature for at least 30 minutes before roasting.
- Prepare the chicken by removing any parts or that bag that may be inside the cavity (if desired, reserve any necks or giblets for stock). Pat the chicken dry; there is no need to wash your chicken, which can actually increase the risk of bacterial spread. Once dry, season generously with salt and pepper inside the chicken cavity, as well as on every part of the exterior (about 2-3 tsp salt). Seasoning the inside of the chicken helps ensure that it is flavorful throughout.
- Prepare your vegetables and aromatics: Slice your potatoes (or fennel or parsnips) into even-sized pieces, about ½-1-inch thick. Be careful not to slice them too large, or they will not cook through in time with the chicken. Peel and slice your onions into 1-inch thick wedges. Peel and slice your carrots into ½-inch-thick, even-sized pieces. All of your vegetables should be roughly the same size and thickness as they will form a bed for your chicken, which serves double duty: It allows hot oven air to circulate evenly around the bird and lets the chicken’s juices flavor the veggies. See “Notes” for swaps and substitutions.
- Rinse and dry the herbs. Slice the lemon in half and remove any seeds (to prevent bitterness while roasting). Slice the garlic head in half through its equator; you do not need to peel the papery exterior.
- Assemble the chicken for roasting: In a large Dutch oven, 9×13 casserole dish (like a Pyrex) or in a 12” cast iron or oven-safe skillet, place the cut vegetables in an even layer on the bottom. Drizzle with the olive oil, and season with ½ tsp kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Scatter 3-4 sprigs of herbs (any variety) onto the vegetables.
- Place the seasoned whole chicken breast-side up on top of the vegetables. Add the remaining herbs, half of the lemon and half of the garlic head to the chicken cavity. Squeeze the juice from the remaining lemon half over the chicken, then place the lemon on the vegetables. Nestle the remaining garlic head half into the vegetables. If you have a bit of kitchen twine, you can tie the two larger legs above the breast together to help the bird cook more evenly; if not, you can still successfully roast the chicken as is.
- Add the liquid to the bottom of the pan – this helps create moisture and builds a simple pan sauce.
- If using a Dutch oven, place the lid on top of the pot before putting it in the oven. If using a skillet or casserole dish, cover tightly with foil so that the chicken and vegetables are fully beneath the foil.
- Roast covered for 30 minutes.
- Remove the Dutch oven lid, or the foil, from the chicken; continue to roast uncovered until the chicken is fully cooked through, an additional 45 minutes to 1 hour, depending on your oven and the size of the chicken. Your chicken is fully cooked when its internal temperature reaches 165°F when tested with a meat thermometer (a great investment!). Alternatively, look for the skin to be golden brown and for juices to run clear when pierced in the breast or leg with a paring knife. If while roasting any part of the bird is getting too dark, you can cover that bit with foil as it roasts.
- Remove the chicken from the oven and transfer it to a cutting board. Allow to rest uncovered for 15-30 minutes prior to slicing and serving. Check your vegetables for doneness. If they are still firm or not fully cooked, return them to the oven to continue to roast uncovered while the chicken rests.
- Carve the chicken and serve alongside the vegetables. Spoon over any sauce that has gathered in the bottom of the pan.
Notes
- To make ahead: Fully roast the chicken and vegetables and allow to cool. Store covered in the refrigerator for up to two days. Reheat, covered at 375°F until warmed through. The skin will not stay crispy, but the meat will still be juicy and tender.
- Swap potatoes for equal weight of fennel (about 1 large) or parsnips (about 2 medium). Alternatively you can swap them for additional onions or carrots.
- Use any combination of herbs, or simply use 3-4 sprigs of rosemary or 1 bunch thyme. Sage and tarragon also work well here.
- Swap a lemon for orange, if desired.
- Add any additional spices you like, such as: paprika, sumac, harissa, turmeric and more.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: Basics
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