Lemon Thyme Roast Chicken Recipe

Everybody loves roast chicken. Easy enough for a weeknight but impressive enough for a dinner party, roast chicken is the happiest, healthiest, easiest way to show someone you care. Just ask Glamour Magazine, who has been hawking their “engagement chicken” recipe since 1982 (and take note, if you are looking to help someone commit!). 

This roast chicken recipe benefits from two garden-fresh herbs: hearty lemon thyme and tender parsley. Applied early, the lemon thyme is infused into the chicken while it roasts, while a sprinkle of parsley at the end helps round out the dish’s flavor and freshness. 

Helpful Hints

Pick up a whole chicken. The idea of roasting a whole chicken can be pretty daunting, especially when compared to the ease of just roasting parts. However, we believe that a whole roast chicken is a dish that everyone can (and should!) master in the kitchen. 

Invest in a meat thermometer. That said, good cooks use the right tools. It can be tough to determine whether a whole chicken is cooked, since the white and dark meat cook at different intervals. Inserting a meat thermometer ensures that you won’t give anyone salmonella without spoiling the overall look of the dish. 

Use a high smoke point oil. We love olive oil and butter as much as the next person, but for perfectly crispy chicken skin, you’ll want to use an oil with a higher smoke point. Avocado oil is a great option, but canola or vegetable oil can work in a pinch. 

Get creative. There’s a reason that roast chicken is so many chefs’ signature dishes: there are a million ways to make it your own. Experiment with different kinds of hearty and tender herbs, try to concoct a unique spice blend or serve it up with a variety of sauces. The chicken is your oyster!