Certainly! Here’s a recipe for a delicious roast chicken with crispy skin.
Roast Chicken with Crispy Skin
Ingredients:
- 1 whole chicken (about 4-5 pounds)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or melted butter
- Salt (preferably kosher)
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 1 lemon, halved
- 4-5 garlic cloves, smashed
- Fresh herbs (thyme, rosemary, sage) – optional but recommended
- 1 onion, quartered
- 2 carrots, cut into large chunks
- 2 celery stalks, cut into large chunks
Instructions:
- Preparation:
- Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Pat the chicken dry with paper towels. This is crucial for achieving crispy skin.
- Season the Chicken:
- Rub the chicken all over with olive oil or melted butter.
- Generously season the chicken inside and out with salt and pepper.
- Stuff the cavity with lemon halves, garlic cloves, and fresh herbs if using.
- Prepare the Vegetables:
- Place the onion, carrots, and celery in the bottom of a roasting pan. These will act as a rack and also flavor the drippings for a simple gravy.
- Roasting the Chicken:
- Place the chicken on top of the vegetables, breast side up.
- Truss the chicken if you know how, or simply tuck the wings under and tie the legs together with kitchen twine.
- Cooking:
- Roast the chicken in the preheated oven for about 1 hour and 20 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) in the thickest part of the thigh and the juices run clear when the thigh is pierced with a skewer.
- Baste the chicken with the pan juices halfway through cooking to keep it moist.
- Resting:
- Once cooked, remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for 15-20 minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute, making the meat tender and juicy.
- Carving and Serving:
- Carve the chicken and serve with the roasted vegetables from the pan. If desired, you can make a simple gravy with the drippings.
Tips for Extra Crispy Skin:
- Ensure the chicken skin is as dry as possible before seasoning and roasting.
- You can also leave the chicken uncovered in the fridge for a few hours or overnight to dry out the skin further.
- For even crispier skin, increase the oven temperature to 450°F (230°C) for the last 10-15 minutes of roasting, but keep an eye on it to avoid burning.
Enjoy your perfectly roasted chicken with crispy skin!
