Roast Chicken with Herbs
AI-generated image
Gluten-free French

Roast Chicken with Herbs

A French-inspired roast chicken rubbed with garlic, thyme, rosemary, and lemon, then roasted until the skin is deeply golden and the meat stays succulent. Pan juices make an effortless sauce for serving.

100 min 4 servings Medium
All recipes

How to prepare

1
Take the chicken from the refrigerator 20 to 30 minutes before cooking. Heat the oven to 220°C and place a rack in the center.
2
Mix the olive oil, garlic, thyme leaves, chopped rosemary, salt, and pepper in a small bowl until a fragrant paste forms.
3
Rub the herb paste over the chicken skin and into the cavity. Place the lemon halves and the reserved whole thyme sprigs inside the cavity, then tuck the wing tips under the body and tie the legs loosely with kitchen twine.
4
Set the chicken breast-side up in a roasting pan. Roast at 220°C for 20 minutes, until the skin begins to bronze.
5
Reduce the oven to 190°C and continue roasting for 50 to 60 minutes. Rotate the pan halfway through if one side browns faster, and spoon pan juices over the chicken once or twice.
Golden herb-roasted chicken with crisp skin and pan juices AI-generated image
6
Check the thickest part of the thigh with an instant-read thermometer; it should reach 74°C. Transfer the chicken to a board and rest uncovered for 15 minutes so the juices redistribute.
7
Remove and discard the cavity aromatics, carve the chicken, and spoon the hot pan juices over the portions. Serve immediately.
Sliced roast chicken served with herb pan juices AI-generated image

Why this recipe works

Drying the skin and coating it with olive oil encourages even browning, while lemon and sturdy herbs perfume the meat and brighten the savory pan juices.

Storage and reheating

How to store it

Refrigerate cooled chicken and pan juices in airtight containers within 2 hours. Use within 3 days.

How to reheat it

Reheat covered in a 175°C oven with a splash of water or stock until the center reaches 74°C; uncover briefly to re-crisp the skin.

Nutrition / serving

1033kcal
109.89 gprotein
4.68 gcarbs
61.36 gfat
P
Pantryvale editorial kitchen
Recipe prepared for publication with complete ingredients and ordered cooking steps.
Published 15 Aug 2026 · updated 15 Aug 2026