– **Title**: Oven Roasted Garlic Butter Chicken
– **Ingredients**:
– 4 chicken thighs (bone-in, skin-on)
– 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
– 6 cloves garlic, minced
– 1 teaspoon dried thyme
– 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
– 1 teaspoon paprika
– Salt, to taste
– Black pepper, to taste
– 1 lemon, sliced
– Fresh parsley, for garnish
– **Instructions**:
1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. In a small bowl, combine the melted butter, minced garlic, dried thyme, dried rosemary, paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix well to create the garlic butter mixture.
3. Place the chicken thighs in a large baking dish or oven-safe skillet.
4. Pour the garlic butter mixture over the chicken thighs, making sure they are well coated.
5. Arrange lemon slices on and around the chicken in the baking dish.
6. Roast in the preheated oven for about 35-45 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and has an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). The skin should be golden brown and crispy.
7. For an extra crispy skin, broil the chicken for an additional 2-3 minutes at the end of the cooking time.
8. Remove from the oven and let the chicken rest for a few minutes before garnishing with fresh parsley.
9. Serve hot with your choice of sides. Enjoy!
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Whole Chicken: A 4-5 pound chicken is great for even cooking and flavor. If you prefer, a cut-up chicken can work, just adjust cooking time as pieces may cook faster.
Butter: Unsalted butter is perfect to control the saltiness. For a lighter option, you can swap it for olive oil or use plant-based butter if you’re dairy-free.
Garlic: Fresh is best for strong flavor, but if you’re in a pinch, garlic powder can substitute. Use 1/8 teaspoon for each clove.
Lemons: Fresh lemons add brightness. If you have limes or even vinegar, they can provide a similar tangy flavor in a pinch. Adjust to taste!
Herbs: Fresh rosemary and thyme lend amazing flavor, but dried herbs are fine too. They’ll be less potent, so use about a third of the amount.
Potatoes: Baby potatoes give a creamy texture. You can use regular potatoes, sweet potatoes, or even other veggies like squash for variety.
How Do I Ensure My Chicken Stays Moist and Flavorful?
A key step is to loosen the skin and spread the garlic butter underneath. This adds flavor directly to the meat and helps keep it juicy. Here’s how:
- Dry the chicken well with paper towels to help the skin crisp up.
- Be gentle as you loosen the skin over the breast; a small spoon or your fingers works well.
- Spread half of your garlic butter mix under the skin, ensuring an even layer.
- Rub the remaining butter all over the outside for a tasty, crispy skin while it cooks.
Don’t forget to baste the chicken! Halfway through roasting, using a spoon, ladle some juices over the chicken helps keep it moist and enhances flavor. Letting it rest after cooking also locks in moisture for the perfect, tender bite!
Oven Roasted Garlic Butter Chicken
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Chicken:
- 1 whole chicken (about 4-5 pounds)
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 lemons (1 sliced, 1 juiced)
- 2 tablespoons fresh rosemary, chopped (or 1 tablespoon dried)
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme, chopped (or 1/2 tablespoon dried)
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the Vegetables:
- 1 pound baby potatoes, halved
- 2 cups mixed vegetables (such as carrots and green beans)
- Olive oil for drizzling
How Much Time Will You Need?
This recipe takes about 15 minutes to prepare and around 1 hour and 20 minutes to cook. Including resting time, you’ll be ready to enjoy your delicious garlic butter chicken in about 1 hour and 45 minutes total!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preheat Your Oven:
Start by preheating your oven to 425°F (220°C). This high temperature will help create a crispy skin on the chicken while ensuring it cooks through.
2. Make Your Garlic Butter:
In a small bowl, mix together the softened butter, minced garlic, lemon juice, fresh rosemary, fresh thyme, paprika, salt, and pepper. This garlic butter blend will add amazing flavor to your chicken. Set it aside for now!
3. Prepare the Chicken:
Carefully pat the whole chicken dry with paper towels. This is important for getting that crispy skin. Gently loosen the skin around the breast area with your fingers and spread half of the garlic butter mixture underneath it. Then, rub the remaining garlic butter all over the outside of the chicken to coat it well.
4. Stuff the Chicken:
Take the sliced lemon and place it inside the cavity of the chicken. You can also add any remaining rosemary and thyme for extra flavor!
5. Arrange the Vegetables:
In a large roasting pan, place the halved baby potatoes and mixed vegetables. Drizzle them with olive oil, season with a little salt and pepper, and toss everything to ensure the veggies are nicely coated.
6. Roast the Chicken:
Now place the prepared chicken on top of the vegetables in the roasting pan. This ensures the veggies catch the delicious juices as they roast. Put the pan in the preheated oven.
7. Cooking Time:
Roast the chicken for about 1 hour and 20 minutes. Use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C) and the skin is golden brown and crispy. If you want, halfway through cooking, you can baste the chicken with the pan juices for more flavor and moisture.
8. Rest and Serve:
Once the chicken is fully cooked, take it out of the oven and let it rest for 10-15 minutes. This helps keep the juices inside when you carve it. Finally, slice the chicken and serve it with the delicious roasted vegetables!
Enjoy your comforting and flavorful garlic butter chicken with your loved ones!
Can I Use Chicken Pieces Instead of a Whole Chicken?
Absolutely! If you prefer using chicken pieces, adjust the cooking time accordingly. Bone-in thighs and breasts usually take about 35-45 minutes, while wings can cook in 30-35 minutes. Always check the internal temperature to ensure they reach 165°F (75°C).
What Can I Substitute for Fresh Herbs?
If you don’t have fresh herbs on hand, you can use dried herbs instead! Use about one-third of the amount: for example, 1 tablespoon of dried herbs in place of 2 tablespoons of fresh. Just mix them into the garlic butter mix, and you’ll still enjoy great flavor.
How to Store Leftovers?
Store leftover chicken and vegetables in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, place them in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 15-20 minutes, or until warmed through, to keep the chicken skin crispy.
Can I Make This Recipe with Other Vegetables?
Definitely! Feel free to swap in any of your favorite vegetables. Just make sure they have a similar cooking time to the potatoes. Good options include bell peppers, zucchini, or asparagus. Just adjust the olive oil and seasoning as needed!
