How should I roast a chicken

[ScottishBeth]

I have never roasted a chicken. I think it would be very good for me to learn! So how do I do it? I am looking for easy, foolproof method! The fancy stuff can come later.

Do I really need to put something inside the chicken to do it? That seems very weird!

Also if anyone has any tips for sides. I have no intention of doing roast potatoes. Maybe one day! Will do mash instead.

Love that @ArcaneWireless will defo try at the weekend

Roasting longer at a low temp makes the chicken juicier. I actually made this tonight and it's one of my favourite easy meals because the prep time is about five minutes.

Medium whole chicken
Bag of baby potatoes
Butter
Vegetable oil
Seasoning of choice
Veg for side (I usually do peas but whatever you want)

Preheat oven to 150°. Melt a tbsp of butter in a little bowl in the microwave. Toss whole baby potatoes in a roasting pan, pour over a little veg oil, stir to coat, sprinkle with salt. Plop chicken on top, coat with melted butter. Salt and pepper and seasoning of choice. Put in oven and leave for 3 hours (my oven runs hot so I usually pull it after 2.5). Remove from oven, tent loosely with foil and let rest for 15-20 minutes. Cook veg. Serve. Everyone will be impressed.

Thank you all! This is very helpful. I feel like I can do this.

Just to ask, if I put something in the cavity, what do I do with that?

Also you have given me the confidence to attempt roast potatoes as well. I thought you had to cook the chicken at a low temperature and the potatoes at a high temperature, which is why I was concerned. But it looks like it's easier than that.

Follow the cooking time on the packet.easy with chicken because it says exact not per pound like others.
Do not over cook.stick a skewer in thigh if it runs clear your good.
Packet of bread sauce
Packet of stuffing
Roasted sweet potato and red onion.
All the veggies.don't mess with them just enjoy a big trough of veg!
Roasted peppers can be a nice twist.
Gravy made with bid to and veg water and teasp of marmite.
In a bag ones are really good too.

Nah the secret is the heating of fat in the tin before hand.
Par boiling and shake those bastard around with lid on pan til the outside are mega fluffy.
Then put in the heated tin.baste fat over and in they Go! You will need a few times practice.but that's to get your own tastes and working with your equipment.your not a fail if they aren't perfect first time.
Also cutti g them so they have proper surfaces. And Maris piper

What do you mean by what do you do with whatever you put in the cavity? You don't do anything else with it after the chicken is cooked.

Once you’re comfortable roasting a basic chicken you could move on to this BBC roast chicken recipe which makes brilliant gravy OP. I swear by it, but it might seem a bit daunting at first if you are new to cooking from scratch.

www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/classic-roast-chicken-gravy

I buy the whole chickens that you roast in the bag they come in. They're juicy, succulent and fabulous. Just pierce a hole and roast for the time it says.

Halved lemon or two in the cavity (tried without and end result is less moist) that's it. No need for rubbing oil and seasonings on, a chicken is a tasty thing.

This is my way. I also score in the breast about 2 each side with a knife to put garlic too.

This is a calorific but nice and potatoes go in same dish so less washing up. The fresh thyme is a bit of a faff but makes it.

www.everydaycookingadventures.com/jamie-olivers-fantastic-roast-chicken/

Things to add to make it better:

stuffing - either make your own or Paxo
gravy - similar

OP;
Heat your oven to the required temperature before you start.

Make sure all packaging is removed. Take the elastic off the legs.

Follow the roasting instructions of your choice.

When nearly done get a big plate out and warm it.

Lift chicken from roasting tray onto warm plate, cover in foil and then a T towel to rest and keep warm while you deal with your other bits and bobs, finishing the veg, assembling family etc.

Carve / cut up.

This is easiest, most foolproof roast chicken recipe I have ever tried www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/my-favorite-simple-roast-chicken-231348