Easy Roasted Chicken

A roasted chicken can be one of the easiest meals to put together as long as you have a few hours to allow it to bake. This main dish pairs with so many different side dishes making it easy to change up for delicious varied meals over an over. Pair this easy roasted chicken with a side salad and baked potato for a delicious summertime meal, or pair it with roasted potatoes and carrots for a hearty winter meal. Whatever you pair it with, you’ll be making this easy roasted chicken over and over for your family to enjoy!

How to use your Roasted Chicken

Of course your first go to meal when making a roasted chicken is going to be a simple meal of this delicious main dish and a few sides to go with it. However, most of the time, you probably won’t finish the entire chicken with one meal. The great thing about this main dish is that the leftovers are perfect to use in so many additional dishes such as chicken pot pit, chicken noodle soup, chicken fajitas, chicken chili, and so many more! After the first night meal, just pick all the remaining meat off the bones and reserve this chicken for one of these delicious dishes. Last of all, don’t let those bones go to waste either! Reserve the bones to make delicious healthy chicken broth. Learn how to make chicken bone broth here!

Health Benefits of Roasted Chicken

Roasted chicken is not only delicious, but it is also extremely nutritious. A 6 ounce portion of chicken contains about 50 grams of protein. In addition chicken is high in several essential vitamins and minerals including B vitamins, selenium, zinc, copper, phosphorus, magnesium, and iron. Also, by cooking your own roasted chicken at home, you can be sure of the quality of the meat and the ingredients used in the process.

I always recommend going organic with meats. Conventional meats are often raised on steroids and antibiotics. By switching to organic, you can be sure you are consuming high quality meat that is good for you. Most grocery stores sell organic meat for a small percentage higher price than non-organic. Also, by making your own roasted chicken at home, you can be sure of exactly what ingredients are being used. Rotisserie chickens from the grocery store often come with an extremely high sodium content. At home you can be sure to use high quality sea salt at a reasonable amount.

Ingredients you will need

1. Whole Chicken
2. Water
3. Celery
4. Carrot
5. Onion
6. Sea Salt
7. Pepper
8. Dried Rosemary
9. Butter
10. Roasting Pan

As mentioned above, if possible source your chicken from a local farmer raising all natural meats. Or opt for organic chicken at your grocery store for the healthiest dish. Just a couple stalks of celery, one or two carrots, and one small onion will be plenty to add delicious flavor. Choose sea salt or Himalayan salt as well as black pepper and rosemary for a simple yet delectable blend of spices. Go for an organic or grass fed butter and you are all set with your ingredients!

How to Roast the Chicken

Preparing

Of course, you’ll want to start this process by thawing your chicken if it was frozen. I like to thaw my whole chickens in cold water. Usually about 3-4 hours will be enough to thaw the chicken using this method. Otherwise, allow a full day to thaw the chicken in the fridge. Once your chicken is thawed, be sure to remove any packaging as well as any giblets if your chicken comes with these. If desired, save the giblets for making your chicken broth.

Now your chicken is ready to be prepared. Place the entire chicken in your large roasting pan. Now we will add in the veggies. Trim off any greens from the end of your carrots. There is no need to peel the carrots. Slice your onion down the middle so that the root ends are on each side. Trim off these ends and peel of the onion skin. Add the carrots, onions, and celery to your roasting pan.

Rub the butter over the top of the chicken to help the skin get brown and crispy. Next, combine your spices. Combine the salt, pepper, and rosemary and evenly sprinkle over the chicken.

Cooking

At this point, all you need is a little time and patience. Simply preheat your oven to 350 degrees and cover your chicken with the roaster pan lid. Place the chicken in the oven and roast for 2.5 hours. Cook for the last half hour with the lid off to encourage browning on the top skin.

Remove the chicken, and slice as desired!

Pair this dish with any number of different sides for a delicious meal every time! Be sure to post a picture of your own roasted chicken and whatever delicious sides you choose to pair with it!

And be sure to never throw out those leftover bones! Pick the bones off the meat and simmer in the broth that is already forming in your pan for delicious homemade bone broth. Get the full bone broth recipe here!

If you try this recipe and it’s one of your favorites, tag me in a post on Instagram or Facebook @almostheavenhomesteading

Be sure to check out my recipe for Chicken Bone Broth to use up your leftover bones!

You can purchase your own roasting pan by following the link provided below:

Roasting Pan

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