🍳DailyRecipes
Dinner

Simple Lemon Herb Roasted Chicken

This easy roasted chicken is a classic comfort meal that makes for a perfect family dinner.

By Daily Recipes Book· 🌍 American· July 15, 2026
Simple Lemon Herb Roasted Chicken
dailyrecipesbook.com
Prep
15 minutes
Cook
75 minutes
Total
90 minutes
Serves
4

There is nothing quite like the smell of a lemon and herb chicken roasting in the oven. It is one of those meals that feels fancy enough for a Sunday gathering but is simple enough to put together on a busy weeknight.

My favorite trick for this recipe is to rub the butter mixture right under the chicken skin. This keeps the meat incredibly juicy and helps the skin get that perfect golden crisp that everyone loves.

Ingredients

  • 1 whole chicken, about 4 pounds
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon fresh thyme, chopped
  • 1 large lemon, cut into wedges
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 0.5 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

  1. 1

    Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

  2. 2

    Pat the chicken dry with paper towels to ensure the skin gets crispy.

  3. 3

    In a small bowl, mix the butter, olive oil, garlic, rosemary, thyme, salt, and pepper into a paste.

  4. 4

    Gently loosen the skin on the chicken breasts and rub half of the butter mixture underneath. Rub the remaining mixture all over the outside of the bird.

  5. 5

    Stuff the cavity of the chicken with half of the lemon wedges.

  6. 6

    Place the chicken in a roasting pan and arrange the remaining lemon wedges around it.

  7. 7

    Roast for about 60 to 75 minutes, or until a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh reads 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

  8. 8

    Let the chicken rest for 15 minutes before carving to keep the juices inside.

💡 Tips

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. You can use the bones to make a wonderful chicken stock, and the leftover meat is perfect for salads or quick tacos the next day.

#chicken#dinner#roast#healthy#gluten free

Made this recipe? Let us know how it went.

You might also like