Perfect Roast Chicken - golden and juicy! [VIDEO] - The Recipe Rebel (2024)

FAQs

What is the best way to ensure a roast chicken is fully cooked? ›

Bake chicken uncovered in the preheated oven until no longer pink at the bone and the juices run clear, about 1 hour and 15 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh, near the bone, should read 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).

Air-Dry Overnight

After rubbing the chicken with the mixture of salt and baking powder, it needs to air-dry in the refrigerator for at least 12 hours. By letting the chicken sit uncovered in the refrigerator, we allow the surface moisture to evaporate, leading to extra-crisp skin once roasted.

Place the onions, carrots, and fennel in a roasting pan. Toss with salt, pepper, 20 sprigs of thyme, and olive oil. Spread around the bottom of the roasting pan and place the chicken on top. Roast the chicken for 1 1/2 hours, or until the juices run clear when you cut between a leg and thigh.

To start, brine your chicken in a mixture of water and a few tablespoons of salt for about 20 to 30 minutes. This will boost the natural flavor and moisture of the chicken breasts and will leave you with a super tender piece of meat. This is the one step that will really ensure your chicken won't be dry or tough.

Weigh your chicken and calculate the cooking time according to the guide below. Sit the bird in a roasting tin slightly larger than the chicken, and don't cover it with foil or you won't achieve a crisp skin. Basting your chicken during cooking will help keep the meat moist.

Chicken skin needs to be dry in order for it to crisp when cooked. Whether or not you rinse the chicken before prepping, you need to make sure the skin is as dry as possible. After removing the chicken from the package (and washing it, if that is your preferred method) pat each piece dry with paper towels.

Restaurants often achieve juicy and tender fried chicken with a crispy exterior through a combination of techniques such as marinating the chicken in buttermilk or brine, using a seasoned flour or breading mixture, and deep-frying at the right temperature.

Often, a dish described as roasted is one that's cooked on a rack or in an uncovered pan—allowing it to be exposed to the heat to become browned and crispy. When a dish is cooked in the oven covered, it's usually described as baked.

Brining: Brining is a process where chicken is soaked in a solution of water, salt, and sometimes sugar before cooking. This helps the chicken absorb moisture, resulting in juicier and more tender meat. 3. Tenderness Enhancers: Some restaurants use natural tenderizing agents like kiwi, papaya, or pineapple.

What is the best temperature to roast a chicken? ›

For tender, fall-off-the-bone meat and soft skin, roast whole chicken at 325°F (162°C) for 1 ½ to 2 hours, depending on the weight. For firm, juicy meat and crisp, golden-brown skin, roast whole chicken 425°F (218°C) oven for 45 minutes to 1 ½ hours, depending on size.

Shred it and warm with stock

It can be sliced with a knife or torn between two forks into bite-sized pieces. Chicken stock or broth is the best liquid to impart flavor and moisture back into dry chicken. Warm your broth over a medium heat until it is hot but not boiling.

Simply insert your food thermometer into the thickest part of the chicken (for a whole chicken, that would be the breast). You know your chicken is cooked when the thermometer reads 180°F (82°C) for a whole chicken, or 165°F (74°C) for chicken cuts.

For properly cooked chicken, if you cut into it and the juices run clear, then the chicken is fully cooked. If the juices are red or have a pinkish color, your chicken may need to be cooked a bit longer.

An instant-read thermometer is the best way to tell when the chicken is done. You'll want to cook the breasts until they reach an internal temperature of 165°F.