Ultimate Crispy Roast Chicken with Garlic Herb Butter: Your New Favorite Sunday Dinner
Welcome to the epitome of comfort food: this **Crispy Roast Chicken** with Garlic Herb Butter. Designed to be a true showstopper, it’s absolutely perfect for any Sunday roast or a special weeknight meal. Prepare to be amazed by its unbelievably flavorful profile, featuring golden, irresistibly crispy skin and incredibly juicy, tender meat that will melt in your mouth. This isn’t just any roast chicken; it’s a culinary masterpiece, meticulously crafted to steal the spotlight at your table. Roasted with a generous slathering of aromatic **garlic butter**, infused with the fresh vibrancy of herbs like rosemary and parsley, brightened with a squeeze of zesty lemon, and enriched with a splash of elegant white wine, this crispy roast chicken delivers bold, comforting flavors that effortlessly rival, and often surpass, any store-bought rotisserie chicken. If you’re perpetually craving more citrusy goodness and a lighter touch, don’t miss our equally delightful Lemon Garlic Herb Chicken for a refreshingly zesty twist on this classic! This recipe is a testament to how simple ingredients, when treated with care, can yield extraordinary results, turning an ordinary meal into an unforgettable feast.

Why This Is The Best Crispy Roast Chicken?
Forget everything you thought you knew about roast chicken. This Garlic Butter **Crispy Roast Chicken** isn’t just good; it’s sensational. What truly sets it apart is the perfect harmony between the incredibly juicy, succulent meat on the inside and the irresistibly shatter-crispy, golden skin on the outside. Every single bite is drenched in flavorful, *liquid gold pan juices* that make this dish the epitome of flavor-packed perfection.
Our secret to achieving this unparalleled flavor and texture lies in a meticulous preparation process. We don’t just casually sprinkle on a touch of salt and call it a day, expecting magic to happen. Oh no – this entire chicken is sumptuously slathered in a rich, aromatic garlic butter and a medley of fresh herbs, not only on the surface but, crucially, *underneath the skin*. This technique ensures that the butter and herb infusion penetrates deep into the meat, guaranteeing maximum flavor, moisture, and tenderness in every juicy mouthful. The butter under the skin also helps to render the fat slowly, creating that coveted crispy exterior.
Are you yearning for that ultimate ‘wow’ factor at your dinner table, but without the daunting effort often associated with a lavish, traditional roast? This Garlic Butter Roast Chicken is unequivocally your answer. Unlike more time-intensive culinary endeavors, such as a **Pork Roast With Crackle** or a sophisticated **Roast Beef Tenderloin**, this crispy roast chicken offers a remarkable balance. It’s ready to grace your table in just over an hour, yet it consistently delivers truly restaurant-quality results that will impress even the most discerning palates. The absolute best part? It’s astonishingly easy to make, transforming a potentially intimidating dish into an accessible and enjoyable cooking experience. You’ll find yourself wanting to put this recipe on repeat, making it a regular fixture in your culinary repertoire!
Crispy Roast Chicken With Garlic Butter: Key Ingredients

The sublime secret to our sensational **Garlic Butter Roast Chicken** truly lies within its carefully selected, high-quality ingredients. Each component plays a vital role in crafting this symphony of flavors. Fresh herbs like vibrant rosemary and aromatic parsley don’t just add color; they bring a burst of bright, earthy flavors and an incredible fragrance that permeates every inch of the chicken. The rich, creamy garlic butter is more than just a coating; it’s the heart of the dish, adding an unparalleled depth of flavor and ensuring the meat remains incredibly moist while the skin crisps beautifully. And for that subtle layer of sophistication and extra tender juiciness, a hint of white wine elevates every bite, creating a truly gourmet experience. These might seem like simple touches, but when combined, they yield truly unforgettable results that will leave everyone at your table asking for more!
- Whole Chicken: The cornerstone of this magnificent recipe. Opting for a fresh, high-quality whole chicken (around 4 pounds is ideal for this recipe) ensures you get the most tender, juicy meat possible. Bringing it to room temperature before roasting is crucial for even cooking, preventing dry spots and ensuring uniform doneness. Remember to remove any giblets or the neck from the cavity before preparation.
- Butter: The undeniable star that makes this chicken shine. Real, unsalted butter is paramount here, not only for its rich flavor but also for its ability to help achieve that coveted, irresistible crispy skin. We blend it with herbs and garlic to create a potent, flavorful Garlic Butter that truly distinguishes this recipe. Always choose high-quality, unsalted butter for optimal taste control and superior texture.
- Garlic: Fresh garlic cloves are absolutely essential for that robust, pungent, and aromatic flavor that defines this dish. Don’t be shy – I use plenty! Whether crushed, minced, or finely chopped, the goal is to ensure every single bite is thoroughly infused with its distinctive goodness. For the most vibrant and authentic taste, always opt for fresh garlic over any pre-minced or jarred alternatives.
- Fresh Herbs: Rosemary and parsley are our go-to choices for their vibrant flavor profiles and beautiful aromatics. Fresh rosemary sprigs are perfect for stuffing into the cavity, releasing their essence as the chicken roasts, while chopped fresh parsley adds a bright, fresh finish and visual appeal. You can experiment with other fresh herbs like thyme or sage if you prefer.
- Lemon: A crucial component that provides a bright, acidic counterpoint to the rich butter and garlic. Fresh lemon juice is squeezed over the chicken and half of the lemon is placed in the cavity, imparting a subtle citrusy aroma and tenderizing effect that enhances the overall flavor.
- White Wine (Optional): A splash of dry white wine (like Sauvignon Blanc or Chardonnay) adds an extra layer of complexity and moisture, contributing to the “liquid gold” pan juices. If you prefer not to use wine, chicken broth can be a suitable substitute for added flavor and moisture.
- Olive Oil: Used in conjunction with butter to help crisp the skin and ensure the seasonings adhere beautifully to the chicken, contributing to a perfect golden-brown crust.
- Salt & Pepper: Simple yet vital seasonings. A liberal seasoning both inside and out is key to bringing out all the flavors and ensuring the chicken is well-seasoned throughout.
*Note: please see the full Recipe Card at the bottom for a complete list of ingredients and precise measurements, ensuring you have everything you need for this culinary delight.
How To Make Crispy Roast Chicken With Garlic Butter
Let’s get started on your journey to creating the most extraordinary roast chicken you’ve ever tasted! **With just a few simple, yet crucial, steps**, you’ll effortlessly create a Garlic Butter Roast Chicken that is bursting with flavor, incredibly juicy on the inside, boasts perfectly crispy, golden skin, and yields a generous pool of mouthwatering pan juices. This step-by-step guide will walk you through the process, ensuring your dish shines with professional quality. Each action is designed to maximize flavor and achieve the ideal texture, making cooking both enjoyable and rewarding!

- Preheat Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to a robust 430°F (220°C). If your oven has a fan-forced setting, 400°F (200°C) will suffice. A high initial temperature is key to achieving that perfectly crispy skin. While the oven heats, line a baking tray with foil or generously grease a sturdy roasting pan. This preparation ensures easy cleanup and prevents sticking.

- Prepare Chicken: Carefully remove the neck and any giblets from inside the chicken cavity. Trim away any excess fat, especially around the cavity opening, and meticulously remove any leftover feathers. The most critical step for crispy skin is to thoroughly pat the entire chicken dry with paper towels, inside and out. Moisture is the enemy of crispiness, so take your time with this step to ensure a beautifully golden, crackling skin.

- Season and Butter: In a small bowl, combine the melted unsalted butter, olive oil, white wine (if you’re using it), and the freshly squeezed juice from half a lemon. This creates our flavorful basting liquid. Gently loosen the skin over the breast and thighs, being careful not to tear it. Pour a generous amount of this liquid over the chicken, ensuring some goes both under the skin and directly into the cavity. Season the chicken liberally both on the outside and inside the cavity with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Finally, sprinkle generously with chopped fresh parsley.

- Garlic Rub: Take your minced fresh garlic and generously rub it all over the chicken, ensuring it gets thoroughly distributed, especially under the loosened skin. Mix all the butter, oil, wine, lemon juice, salt, pepper, parsley, and garlic together directly on and under the chicken’s skin. This hands-on step ensures every crevice and surface is infused with flavor, creating that signature garlic herb butter taste.

- Stuff Chicken: To further infuse flavor from the inside out, gently stuff the halved head of garlic (no need to peel individual cloves, just cut the head in half horizontally), a few fresh rosemary sprigs, and the squeezed lemon halves directly into the chicken cavity. These aromatics will release their wonderful flavors as the chicken roasts, contributing to the rich pan juices. For a neater presentation and more even cooking, tie the chicken legs together snugly with kitchen string.

- Roast Chicken: Carefully place the prepared chicken, breast-side up, into your lined baking tray or roasting pan. Roast for approximately 1 hour and 15-20 minutes. Halfway through the cooking time (around 40-45 minutes in), open the oven and baste the chicken generously with the pan juices that have accumulated. Continue roasting until the juices run perfectly clear when the thickest part of the chicken thigh is pierced with a skewer. For ultimate precision, use a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh (avoiding bone); it should read 165°F (75°C).

- Broil Chicken: Once the chicken is fully cooked, baste it one last time with those glorious pan juices. For that extra crispy, golden-brown perfection, slide the pan under the broiler for a final 2-3 minutes. Keep a very close eye on it, as broilers can quickly turn golden to burnt. This quick broil will elevate the skin to ultimate crispiness, creating a delightful crunch with every bite.

- Rest and Serve: Once removed from the oven, resist the urge to carve immediately! This is a crucial step for truly juicy chicken. Cover the chicken loosely with foil and allow it to rest for a full 10 minutes. This resting period allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, ensuring every slice is wonderfully tender and moist. After resting, carve the chicken and serve it generously drizzled with those delectable pan juices. Offer extra lemon wedges or slices on the side for a fresh, bright finish.
Not only is this roast chicken infused with incredible flavor from the garlic herb butter, but it consistently emerges from the oven with shatter-crispy skin and unbelievably juicy, tender meat – the kind of perfection that practically begs for a hearty potato side. You can have it your way: pair it with our phenomenal Crispy Garlic Roasted Potatoes for a textural delight, opt for the equally satisfying Crispy Garlic Baked Potato Wedges, or embrace the ultimate comfort with a side of velvety Creamy Mashed Potatoes, perfect for soaking up those glorious pan juices.
If you’re not in a potato mood, or simply want to lighten things up, go bright and green with flavorful vegetables! Our Honey Garlic Butter Roasted Carrots offer a delightful sweetness, while Grilled Asparagus or tender Buttery Sautéed Green Beans add freshness and a vibrant crunch. For a cozier, more unique pairing, consider wholesome Portobello Pizzas or a comforting bowl of Creamy Pumpkin Soup. And here’s a pro tip: while your beautifully roasted chicken is resting, take the opportunity to set out our crowd-pleasing Buffalo Chicken Deviled Eggs – these spicy, creamy little bites are always the first to disappear!
Recipe FAQ’s for Perfect Roast Chicken
Absolutely! While fresh herbs undeniably bring a burst of vibrant flavors and a more aromatic profile, dried herbs can be a perfectly acceptable substitute, especially if fresh ones aren’t readily available. Just remember a key rule of thumb: dried herbs are significantly more concentrated in flavor than fresh ones. Therefore, when substituting, use about one-third of the amount specified for fresh herbs. For example, if the recipe calls for 3 tablespoons of fresh rosemary, use 1 tablespoon of dried rosemary. This adjustment will ensure your roast chicken is still wonderfully flavorful without being overpowering.
Achieving that coveted, perfectly crispy and golden skin is a hallmark of a truly great roast chicken, and it comes down to a few critical steps. First and foremost, ensure the chicken is thoroughly dried with paper towels, both inside and out, before any seasoning or butter application. Moisture inhibits crisping. Secondly, roasting at a high initial temperature (like our recommended 430°F/220°C) helps to render the fat under the skin and promote browning. Lastly, basting halfway through cooking helps to moisten the surface, and a final quick broil for 2-3 minutes at the very end will give it that ultimate, irresistible crunch and beautiful golden hue. Make sure not to overcrowd your roasting pan, allowing hot air to circulate freely around the chicken.
The most reliable and safest way to confirm your crispy roast chicken is fully cooked is by using a meat thermometer. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the thigh, making sure it doesn’t touch the bone. The internal temperature should register a safe and succulent 165°F (75°C). Another traditional method is to pierce the thigh with a skewer or small knife; the juices should run perfectly clear, with no traces of pink. If the juices are still cloudy or pink, continue roasting for a bit longer, checking every 5-10 minutes. Overcooking will dry out the meat, so trust your thermometer!
While the ultimate crispiness and juiciness are best enjoyed immediately after resting, you can certainly prepare some elements in advance. You can mix the garlic herb butter and even apply it to the chicken (under the skin and all over) up to 24 hours before roasting. Store the seasoned chicken in the refrigerator, loosely covered. On the day of cooking, remove it from the fridge at least an hour before roasting to allow it to come closer to room temperature, which promotes more even cooking. This prep-ahead strategy significantly cuts down on active cooking time on the day you plan to serve, making entertaining a breeze.
Any leftover crispy roast chicken should be cooled completely, then carved off the bone and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. For reheating, avoid the microwave if you want to retain some crispiness and moisture. The best method is to reheat slices or pieces in a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C) for about 15-20 minutes, or until warmed through. You can add a splash of chicken broth to the pan and cover it loosely with foil to prevent drying out. For crispy skin, you can uncover it for the last few minutes of reheating, or even give it a quick minute under the broiler (watch carefully!).


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Garlic Butter Crispy Roast Chicken
Karina
10 minutes
1 hour
15 minutes
1 hour
25 minutes
4
people
Ingredients
-
4
pound
whole chicken
at room temperature giblets and neck removed from cavity -
1/4
cup
unsalted butter
melted -
3
tablespoons
olive oil -
1/4
cup
white wine
optional – use a dry wine like a Sauv blanc or Chardonnay -
1
lemon
halved -
1
pinch
salt
to taste -
1
pinch
pepper
to taste -
2
tablespoons
fresh parsley
chopped -
4
cloves
garlic
minced -
1
head
garlic
head of garlic roughly peeled and cut in half horizontally through the middle, crosswise -
3
fresh rosemary
whole sprigs
Instructions
-
Preheat oven to 430°F | 220°C (400°F or 200°C fan forced). Line a baking tray with foil, or lightly grease a roasting pan.
-
Discard neck from inside the cavity and remove any excess fat and leftover feathers. Pat dry with paper towels.
-
Pour the olive oil, melted butter, wine (if using) and the juice of half a lemon over the chicken, under the skin and inside the cavity. Season chicken liberally on the outside and inside the cavity with salt and pepper. Sprinkle over the parsley.
-
Rub the minced garlic over the chicken, mixing all ingredients together over the chicken and under the skin.
-
Stuff the garlic head into the chicken cavity along with the rosemary sprigs and the squeezed lemon halve. Tie legs together with kitchen string.
-
Place breast-side up into baking tray or roasting pan. Roast for 1 hour and 15-20 minutes, basting half way through cooking time, until juices run clear when chicken thigh is pierced with a skewer.
-
Baste again, then broil for a further 2-3 minutes, until golden.
-
Remove from the oven, cover with foil and allow to stand for 10 minutes before serving. Serve, drizzled with pan juices and remaining lemon half cut into wedges or slices.
Notes
Tips: For a larger chicken, roast at 430°F (220°C), 0r 400°F (200°C) fan forced, for one hour. Then, reduce oven temperature down to 325 (160°C). Baste and cover chicken. Roast, basting 2 more times while cooking, until chicken is cooked through, about 45 mins to an hour. Internal temperature should read 165°F (75°C) and juices run clear when pierced.
Nutrition
Calories:
693
kcal
|
Carbohydrates:
4
g
|
Protein:
41
g
|
Fat:
55
g
|
Saturated Fat:
18
g
|
Polyunsaturated Fat:
9
g
|
Monounsaturated Fat:
24
g
|
Trans Fat:
1
g
|
Cholesterol:
194
mg
|
Sodium:
194
mg
|
Potassium:
488
mg
|
Fiber:
1
g
|
Sugar:
0.4
g
|
Vitamin A:
852
IU
|
Vitamin C:
12
mg
|
Calcium:
53
mg
|
Iron:
2
mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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