Thanksgiving-Style Citrus Garlic Roast Chicken (Juicy, Buttery & Easy!)
This Thanksgiving-style citrus garlic roast chicken is juicy, buttery, and bursting with herby flavour a cozy fall dinner that brings all the warmth of the holidays without the stress of roasting a turkey. Roasted with lemons, garlic, and fresh herbs for that golden, show-stopping finish.
Equipment
- Roasting pan or oven-safe casserole dish
- Basting brush
- Meat thermometer
- Kitchen twine
- Small mixing bowl
Ingredients
- 4 lb whole chicken giblets + neck removed
- ¼ cup melted butter
- ¼ cup olive oil
- ¼ cup lemon juice freshly squeezed
- 1 tbsp lemon zest
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley chopped
- 2 tbsp fresh oregano (or 1 tbsp dried oregano)
- 4 garlic cloves minced
- 3 sprigs fresh rosemary
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 lemon halved (for stuffing)
- 1 garlic head sliced top off (for stuffing)
- 3-4 carrots, peeled Optional
- 1 lb baby potatoes, halved Optional
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 430°F (220°C) on conventional roast setting.
- In a small bowl, combine melted butter, olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, salt, pepper, parsley, oregano, minced garlic, and rosemary. Stir until smooth and aromatic.
- Place the chicken in a large roasting dish and pat it completely dry with paper towels. This helps get that ultra-crispy skin.
- Brush half of the citrus herb butter all over the chicken under the skin too, if you can.
- Slice off the top of the garlic head to expose the cloves and stuff it inside the cavity along with half a lemon. Tie the legs together with kitchen twine.
- (Optional) Arrange carrots and baby potatoes around the chicken, brushing them with some of the remaining butter mixture.
- Roast for 1 hour 20 minutes, basting halfway through, or until juices run clear and the internal temperature reads 165°F at the thickest part of the breast.
- Baste again once roasted, then broil for 3–5 minutes to achieve that perfect golden finish.
- Remove from oven, cover loosely with foil, and rest for 10 minutes before slicing.
- Garnish with fresh herbs, spoon over pan juices, and serve warm.
Notes
- For extra crispy skin, make sure your chicken is completely dry before brushing on the butter mixture.
- You can prepare the citrus herb butter a day ahead and marinate overnight for deeper flavor.
- Swap the chicken for turkey breast for a larger Thanksgiving gathering same flavors, same magic.
Storage
- Store leftovers in airtight glass containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm covered with foil in the oven at 350°F for 10 minutes or until heated through.