This longtime reader and family favorite effortlessly produces tender, juicy chicken every single time － and never grows old!
Modern cuisine so often focuses on the latest trends and off-the-grid ingredients. New ideas keep things interesting, but in the process, it’s easy to overlook more unassuming fare.
A new year seemed like a very good time to dig out an old stand－a whole roasted chicken.
Basic as it seems, a brief prep and one unconventional cooking technique is all that’s needed to produce this classic comfort food that’s elegant in its own right. And beyond the juicy, tender meat, you’ll be rewarded with mouthwatering aromas and endless leftover possibilities.
For years, I used high heat and relied on luck or a meat thermometer to prevent an overcooked chicken with dry meat. Eventually, our annual trip to the Greek Food Bazaar made me rethink this frequently used method of cooking.
There, we eat succulent chicken that is literally falling off the bone and utterly delicious. When I learned that the Bazaar method is low and slow, I started experimenting with various oven temperatures and times with the hopes of attaining similarly juicy and tender chicken.
After seeing the idea in a cookbook, I once tried cooking a chicken for 10 hours at 200℉. It tasted good and wasn’t dry, but the chicken was perhaps a little too tender if that’s possible. Even the bones were soft!
After much experimentation, my favorite time and temperature is 275℉ for three to four hours. I usually end up setting the oven timer for 3½ hours but, really, you can’t mess up this one.
As a bonus, you can make economical and extremely flavorful stock with the leftover chicken carcass. The bones—along with the pack of giblets that were removed from the chicken–can be refrigerated for several days or even frozen until you have time to make it.
As an extra tip, toss the trimmings from vegetables like carrots, celery, and onions into a zip-top bag and freeze them for later use in stock. As you accumulate more, just add them to the freezer bag. I’ve made some of the richest stock using odds and ends such as mushroom pieces, kale stems, and onion skins. And since the stock veggies get discarded anyway, there’s wisdom in collecting the trimmings. (For my easy method and a few helpful tips, click here.)
- 1 whole chicken (about 5–7 pounds) *
- Half a lemon
- Half an onion
- Dried thyme
- Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
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Remove the pack of giblets from the chicken. Save for use in homemade stock, if desired. Place the chicken in a roasting pan. (I often use a 9×13 Pyrex baking dish.) Put the onion and lemon halves in the cavity of the chicken and sprinkle salt, pepper, and thyme all over the inside and outside.
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Bake, uncovered, at 275 degrees F for 3-4 hours. If chicken is smaller, cook on the low end of the time frame and vice-versa. But really, if you keep the chicken in a half hour longer than intended, it will still taste great. I’ve done this!
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Let the chicken rest for 10-15 minutes before carving.
- *The last time I made this, I used an 8-pound “oven stuffer roaster” and it cooked within the stated timespan as well. A smaller chicken may come to temperature before 3 hours but will not dry out when kept in the oven longer. If you wish to remove from the oven a little early, simply check with a meat thermometer. The thickest part of the thigh should read 180 degrees F.
- If desired, you may also add half a head of garlic and a few sprigs of fresh thyme to the chicken cavity prior to cooking.
- Leftovers are perfect served cold, reheated, or in any recipe that calls for the addition of cooked chicken. Additionally, two chickens can easily be baked at the same time. The cooked meat will keep for about a week in the refrigerator and freezes well. Lastly, a whole chicken makes a convenient and welcome meal when you wish to prepare dinner for a friend.
These chicken wings look fingerleckin good.
Thank you, Mary!
I have to admit that I was skeptical at first that this chicken would not be dry, but after reading many positive comments, I gave it a try! My chicken was slightly over 4 pounds and I roasted it for 3 hours. Turned out beautifully and perfectly tender! Next time I will add some garlic cloves to the lemon and onion mix inside the chicken for additional flavor and will probably cook two chickens at once to take full advantage of my oven being on for 3 hours. Before serving, I squeezed the soft juicy lemon from inside the chicken over the platter of chicken to add a nice finishing touch of flavor. Do you save your pan juices? The next day I used the congealed juices, minus any fat, over some mashed potatoes.
Thank you for your terrific feedback, Laura. I’m delighted you were happy with the results. I’m also a fan of roasting two chickens at once – perfect when needing a meal to take to a friend too – and I do love the pan juices!
Is temperature fan forced or not.
I don’t use a forced fan (convection) for this recipe. You certainly could but would need to check the internal temperature sooner, as this would speed up the cooking process.
My oven’s a bit wonky, so we have to use convection for everything. I just lower the temp slightly (to 260 degrees) and cook it for the recommended amount of time. This chicken recipe is FABULOUS.
Thanks for your feedback, Christina, and so happy you’re a fan of the recipe!
My mom taught me long ago that slow & low is the very best method to cooking chicken perfectly! Put it in & leave it alone until it’s time to take it out!
Moms always know best, right? This chicken is never dry!
My mom taught me long ago that slow & low is the very best method to cooking chicken perfectly! Put it in & leave it alone until it’s ti
E to take it out!
Moms always know best, right? This chicken is never dry!
You don’t add any water or liquids?
No need, Sherri. Natural juices will cook out of the chicken as it slow roasts and they’ll have lots of flavor.
Just came across your slow roasted whole chicken recipe and would like to try it! Should I baste the chicken while it is cooking or is that not necessary? I usually roast a 4–5 pound chicken and would love to have it become super tender as you described.
I never baste, Laura, and the chicken turns out perfectly tender!
I learned to roast chicken this way (from Ann and this site) a little over a year ago. This was after trying other methods found on the interweb and not liking the results.
Any way, I made this for the fourth time yesterday following Ann’s recipe. Every time is delicious. The meat is juicy and the bird is easy to carve. I add some rosemary, in addition to the thyme and put two small cloves of garlic under the skin. This page is a hidden gem and if only more people knew. Thank you Ann for sharing. I’m so grateful.
Thank you for your most thoughtful comment, Brian. I am delighted your search for the perfect roasted chicken led you here and that this recipe has served you well.
Oh my.. this is the best chicken recipe ever!! I followed your recipe directions & the chicken was perfect! I roasted a 7lb chicken for 4 hours & even the skin was crispy. My go to recipe from now on. Thank you so much for sharing.
Hi Nanette, I’m thrilled the chicken was a hit! Thanks so much for your great feedback.
I’ve been doing this recipe for over a year now. Every time, I used a different spice or herb mix and I also vary whatever I put in the chicken’s cavity (lemon, garlic, onions, fresh herbs,… even a wild mushroom mix as stuffing). I sometimes toss some fingerling potatoes beneath the chicken, no need for oil or seasonings since they end up cooking in the chicken’s juices and soaking up the flavor. I also never pay much attention to the size of the chicken and I usually leave the chicken roasting in the oven for 4 hours. Every time, it comes out perfectly juicy and tender. Thanks for sharing this recipe, I no longer have to worry about dry or undercooked chicken!
I love your comment, Betty! Thank you for taking the time to comment and share the many ways you have enjoyed this recipe. I’m delighted it has served you well and appreciate the 5-star review!
Great flavor. I cooked in a cast iron skillet and everything was so easy.
So happy this was a success and appreciate your five star review!
I’m trying this but I want it to cook all day so I put my oven on 225 degrees and cooking it 5 hrs so I’m hoping it will come out real good
Hi Des, I mention in the writeup how the chicken turned out when I cooked it for 10 hours at 200 degrees. I think you will be fine, but feel free to report back!
Absolutely fantastic. I stuffed the cavity with half lemon, thyme, rosemary, and garlic. I also added these ingredients around the bird along with some small whole peppers(red, yellow and jalapeños)…
Fabulous, Edward! Love your addition of peppers and so appreciate the feedback.
I just made this for a group of 9 so I doubled the recipe and wow it was delicious! I’ve never received so many compliments!
I often double this recipe when I want to take a meal to a friend – so easy to make one to give and one to keep! I’m delighted the chicken was a hit with your group. Thank you for your comment!
Should this be covered at any point or uncovered the entire time?
Uncovered the whole time!
I found this recipe in October, 1920 when you posted on your page. Oh! Wow! I can truthfully said, I have never bought another Roasted Chicken from Costco after tasting this one. It is so incredibly easy. I love making it. I have cooked and shared this recipe far and wide because everyone who eats it wants the recipe.
Ginger, I’m delighted the chicken has become a welcome staple in your house and that you’ve shared the recipe far and wide. Thank you very much for taking a moment to let me know! ❤️
check out Line 5 on intrduction page …
Slow Roasted Whole Chicken -The
Fountain Avenue Chicken
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-Brine the children overnight in
kosher salt, water, Brown sugar
Hi Jane, Did you see that on Pinterest by chance? I’m not seeing it from my end (although definitely not the right word!), and this recipe doesn’t call for brining. I’m wondering if someone else may have added that to the recipe when Pinned. I do appreciate being made aware and welcome additional details if you can provide.