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Dinner

Classic Sunday Roast Chicken

This simple roast chicken is the perfect cozy meal for a slow Sunday evening at home.

By Daily Recipes Book· 🌍 American· July 19, 2026
Classic Sunday Roast Chicken
dailyrecipesbook.com
Prep
15 minutes
Cook
75 minutes
Total
90 minutes
Serves
4

There is something so comforting about the smell of a roasting chicken filling the kitchen on a quiet Sunday. It is one of those timeless meals that always makes a house feel like a home.

My best tip is to make sure you pat the chicken skin very dry with paper towels before seasoning it. This little extra effort helps the skin get nice and golden brown while it roasts in the oven.

Ingredients

  • 1 whole roasting chicken, about 4 pounds
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 head of garlic, cut in half crosswise
  • 1 lemon, cut into wedges
  • 1 large yellow onion, cut into thick slices

Instructions

  1. 1

    Preheat your oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit.

  2. 2

    Remove the giblets from the chicken and pat the bird dry inside and out using paper towels.

  3. 3

    Place the onion slices in the bottom of a roasting pan to create a rack for the chicken.

  4. 4

    Rub the chicken all over with olive oil then sprinkle evenly with the salt, pepper, and thyme.

  5. 5

    Stuff the cavity of the chicken with the garlic halves and half of the lemon wedges.

  6. 6

    Place the chicken breast side up on top of the onions in the pan.

  7. 7

    Roast for 60 to 75 minutes, or until the juices run clear when you pierce the thigh with a knife.

  8. 8

    Let the chicken rest on a cutting board for at least 15 minutes before carving to keep the meat juicy.

💡 Tips

Store any leftover chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. You can shred the cold leftovers to put on top of salads or use them for quick chicken salad sandwiches during the week.

#chicken#dinner#roast#comfort food#healthy

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