Simple Garlic Butter Roast Chicken

Name: Simple Garlic Butter Roast Chicken
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 75 min
Total time: 90 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 whole chicken, about 4 pounds; 4 tablespoons butter, softened; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves; 1 teaspoon salt; 0.5 teaspoon black pepper; 1 lemon, halved

This juicy roast chicken is the perfect weeknight meal that the whole family will love.

By Recipes By Nani· 🌍 American· July 19, 2026

recipesbynani.com

Prep

15 minutes

Cook

75 minutes

Total

90 minutes

Serves

There is nothing quite as comforting as the smell of a whole chicken roasting in the oven. It is one of my favorite things to make because it feels special even when life gets busy.

I love serving this with a few roasted vegetables on the side. My biggest tip is to let the chicken rest for ten minutes after taking it out of the oven, because it keeps all those delicious juices inside where they belong.

🧺 Ingredients

1 whole chicken, about 4 pounds
4 tablespoons butter, softened
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
1 teaspoon salt
0.5 teaspoon black pepper
1 lemon, halved

👩‍🍳Instructions

1
Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
2
Pat the chicken dry with paper towels to ensure the skin gets nice and crispy.
3
Mix the softened butter, minced garlic, thyme, salt, and pepper in a small bowl until smooth.
4
Rub the butter mixture all over the chicken, including under the skin on the breast.
5
Stuff the cavity of the chicken with the lemon halves.
6
Place the chicken on a rack in a roasting pan and roast for about 60 to 75 minutes, or until the juices run clear.
7
Let the chicken rest for 10 minutes before carving and serving.

💡 Tips

You can store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. Use the bones to make a wonderful homemade chicken stock later in the week.

#chicken #roast chicken #dinner #easy dinner #healthy #high protein

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