Ever stared at a whole chicken in your fridge and thought “What the heck am I gonna do with this bird?” Trust me we’ve all been there! A whole chicken is like the gift that keeps on giving – it’s affordable, versatile, and can feed your family for multiple meals.
At CookingCorner, we believe a whole chicken is one of the best investments you can make at the grocery store. So I’ve gathered some of my absolute favorite ways to transform that humble bird into delicious meals that’ll have everyone asking for seconds!
Why Cooking a Whole Chicken Is Totally Worth It
Before diving into recipes let’s talk about why cooking a whole chicken is such a smart move
- Budget-friendly: A whole chicken is usually cheaper per pound than buying parts
- Versatile: One chicken can create multiple meals
- Flavorful: Cooking a chicken whole preserves moisture and flavor
- Less waste: You can use everything from the meat to the bones
Classic Roast Chicken Recipes That Never Disappoint
Let’s start with the basics – roasting a whole chicken is actually way easier than you think!
1. Garlic Herb Butter Roast Chicken
This is basically the “marry me” chicken of roast recipes. The secret? A decadent garlic herb butter that gets slathered both under AND over the skin. The butter keeps the meat juicy while the herbs and garlic infuse it with incredible flavor. I make this at least once a month, and my family practically fights over the crispy skin!
2. Lemon Roasted Chicken with Garlic and Herbs
Simple but absolutely divine! This classic combination of lemon, garlic, and herbs creates a foolproof dish that even beginner cooks can master. The citrus adds brightness while the herbs create depth. It’s my go-to when I need to impress guests without spending hours in the kitchen.
3. Mayonnaise Roasted Whole Chicken
Okay, I know what you’re thinking – mayo on chicken? Trust me on this one! The mayo creates the most incredible crispy golden crust while keeping the meat super moist. It’s a total game-changer and the perfect secret weapon for your next dinner party.
Beyond Basic Roasting: Global Flavors
Why stick to just one flavor profile when the world offers so many delicious options?
4. Peruvian Chicken (Pollo a la Brasa)
This Peruvian classic packs a flavor punch with its signature green sauce. Originally cooked over fire, this oven-roasted version is just as amazing. The combination of spices creates a chicken that’s anything but boring. My husband requests this at least twice a month!
5. Cantonese Roast Chicken
If you’re a fan of Chinese BBQ, you’ll LOVE this roast chicken recipe! The key is marinating for at least 24 hours (36 is even better if you can wait that long). The result is crispy skin and tender, flavorful meat that rivals any restaurant version.
6. Indian-Spiced Roast Chicken
The aromatic spices in this recipe will make your kitchen smell absolutely incredible. Serve it with cucumber salad and flatbreads for a complete meal that’ll transport you straight to India. I make this whenever I’m craving something different from our usual rotation.
7. Cajun Whole Roast Chicken
Spice lovers, this one’s for you! The Cajun seasoning gives this chicken a deep Southern flavor that’s both spicy and satisfying. Plus, the leftovers make amazing sandwiches for lunch the next day.
One-Pan Wonders with Whole Chicken
Who doesn’t love fewer dishes to wash? These complete meals cook the chicken and sides together for maximum flavor and minimum cleanup!
8. Roast Chicken with Brussels Sprouts
Forget boring old potatoes – roasting Brussels sprouts alongside your chicken creates a delicious side that soaks up all those tasty chicken juices. Add them in the last half hour for perfectly crispy sprouts.
9. Curry Roast Chicken
This one-pan wonder combines succulent chicken, potatoes, and veggies in a creamy coconut curry sauce. As the chicken cooks, its juices enhance the curry sauce, creating layers of flavor you won’t believe!
10. Dutch Oven Whole Roast Chicken
The Dutch oven is the secret weapon for perfectly roasted chicken. The chicken cooks evenly, and the veggies underneath caramelize in the drippings. It’s cozy comfort food at its finest and perfect for Sunday family dinners.
Appliance-Specific Chicken Recipes
Different cooking methods can completely transform your chicken experience!
11. Air Fryer Whole Chicken (Rotisserie Style)
If you’ve got an air fryer, you NEED to try this! The chicken comes out with super crispy skin and juicy meat, just like store-bought rotisserie chicken but better. It’s so good you won’t believe it came from your kitchen!
12. Crockpot Whole Chicken
For those busy days when you can’t be hovering over the stove, let your slow cooker do the work! This set-it-and-forget-it method results in tender, fall-off-the-bone chicken that’s perfect for weeknights.
13. Smoked Whole Chicken
If you’ve got a smoker, you’re in for a treat! This “low and slow” method creates incredible flavor and juicy meat with minimal effort. Just season, smoke, and enjoy!
Creative Techniques for Whole Chicken
Sometimes it’s all about how you prepare the bird!
14. Beer Can Chicken
This fun cooking method involves perching your chicken on a beer can before roasting. The beer steams from the inside, keeping the meat moist while the outside gets perfectly crispy. Plus, it looks pretty impressive when you bring it to the table!
15. Spatchcock Chicken Recipes
Spatchcocking (removing the backbone and flattening the chicken) speeds up cooking time and ensures even cooking. Try the Coca-Cola Spatchcock Chicken for a unique twist – the Coke creates an amazing glaze!
16. Devil’s Chicken (Pollo Diablo)
This spicy roasted spatchcock chicken packs serious flavor! Marinated in olive oil, lemon, and chilies before roasting in a hot oven, every bite is tender and succulent with just the right amount of heat.
Beyond Roasting: Other Cooking Methods
Roasting isn’t the only way to cook a whole chicken!
17. The Best Chicken & Dumplings
Turn your whole chicken into a comforting pot of chicken and dumplings. This classic dish features tender chicken in rich broth with fluffy dumplings – it’s like a warm hug in a bowl!
18. Chicken Tamales
Making tamales is a bit time-intensive but SO worth it! This recipe uses a whole chicken to create authentic, flavorful tamales that you can freeze for later. It’s a fun weekend project that pays off for weeks!
19. Mom’s Chicken Noodle Soup
Nothing beats homemade chicken soup when you’re feeling under the weather. Starting with a whole chicken creates a flavorful broth that’s the perfect base for this comforting classic.
Sweet & Tangy Chicken Dishes
Love the combination of sweet and savory? These recipes are for you!
20. Honey-Lime Roasted Chicken
This simple 5-ingredient recipe creates an incredible chicken with a sweet-tangy glaze. It’s just as tasty when prepared on the grill for summer cookouts!
21. Apple-Butter Barbecued Roasted Chicken
The apple butter adds a sweet, tangy dimension to this barbecued chicken. It’s unexpected but absolutely delicious – my kids always ask for seconds!
22. Ginger Orange Roast Chicken
Perfect for holiday dinners, this roast chicken features a ginger-orange butter that adds incredible flavor. Roasted alongside sweet potatoes and Brussels sprouts, it’s a complete meal in one pan.
Herb-Infused Chicken Recipes
Fresh herbs can transform your chicken from basic to spectacular!
23. Rosemary-Honey Roast Chicken
The combination of aromatic rosemary and sweet honey creates a glazed chicken that’s both beautiful and delicious. The honey-balsamic glaze adds an extra pop of flavor and helps create perfectly crispy skin.
24. Roasted Chicken with Pistachio and Arugula Pesto
Instead of butter, try stuffing your chicken with fresh pistachio and arugula pesto! This unique twist adds bright, nutty flavor that pairs perfectly with roasted vegetables.
25. Roasted Chicken with Rosemary
This hearty one-pan meal combines chicken with potatoes and vegetables seasoned with rosemary. It’s a lot like pot roast but uses chicken instead of beef for a lighter option.
Garlic Lover’s Chicken Recipes
If you’re like me and believe there’s no such thing as too much garlic, these recipes are your dream come true!
26. Garlic Clove Chicken
This Greek-inspired recipe uses TONS of garlic (and I mean tons!) for an intensely flavorful chicken that will have you coming back for more. Don’t worry about garlic breath – it’s totally worth it!
27. French Roast Chicken (Poulet Rôti)
This classic French dish uses plenty of garlic, herbs, and butter for an incredibly flavorful bird. The French tradition of Sunday Poulet Rôti is one worth adopting in your own home!
Tips for Making the Most of Your Whole Chicken
To really maximize your chicken investment:
- Save the bones: Make homemade stock from the carcass
- Meal prep: Shred leftover meat for sandwiches, salads, and quick meals
- Freeze portions: Divide and freeze leftover meat for future recipes
- Mix it up: Don’t be afraid to try new flavors and techniques!
My Final Thoughts
A whole chicken is basically kitchen gold – it’s affordable, versatile, and can be transformed into countless delicious meals. Whether you’re looking for a simple roast chicken recipe or want to explore global flavors, there’s a whole chicken recipe out there that’s perfect for you!
What’s your favorite way to cook a whole chicken? Drop a comment below – I’m always looking for new ideas to add to my rotation!
Happy cooking!
How to Make Roasted Chicken
- ▢ 1 whole chicken about 3 ½ pounds
- ▢ 3 tablespoons butter melted
- ▢ 1 teaspoon salt
- ▢ ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ▢ 1 bunch thyme + 1 tablespoon fresh thyme
- ▢ 1 head garlic sliced in half horizontally
- ▢ ½ onion
- ▢ Lemon slices for serving
- Preheat the oven to 400°F.
- Pat the chicken dry with paper towel, remove the giblets, tuck the chicken wings underneath the breast and tie the legs together with kitchen twine.
- In a small bowl, combine the melted butter, salt, pepper and thyme. Use your hands to rub the butter mixture all over the chicken, making sure to get underneath the skin as well.
- Stuff the garlic, onion and thyme sprigs inside the chicken cavity.
- Place the chicken on a large baking dish and roast in the oven breast side up until the skin is golden brown and a thermometer inserted in the chicken reads 165°F, about 60-75 minutes.
- Spoon the juices from the bottom of the baking dish over the chicken and allow the chicken to rest for 15 minutes before carving.
Nutrition information provided is an estimate. It will vary based on cooking method and specific ingredients used.
- Make sure to use kitchen twine to truss your chicken. This helps the meat stay nice and juicy while cooking evenly all over. Place your chicken on the counter with the breast side up, and criss cross the twine around the legs, pull tight, and tie. I have lots of helpful step-by-step tips on how to twine if you need!
- Pat the skin of your chicken dry with a paper towel. This helps it crisp up while cooking as the chicken is less likely to steam. If you like your skin extra crispy, once the chicken is cooked, you can place it under the broiler for a few minutes.
- Let your chicken rest before carving it. This will help the juices redistribute so you won’t have any dry breast meat! Once cooked, take your chicken out of the oven, cover it loosely with foil and let it sit for 15 minutes to half an hour.
Leftovers are the best thing about cooking a whole chicken, imo! Remove the meat from the bones and keep it covered in the fridge for up to 3 days. It’s great for sandwiches and salads! And be sure not to throw the carcass away. You can use it to make your own chicken stock!
Yes! Just be sure to let your chicken cool, then break it down however you like (so you can thaw individual parts one at a time). It should keep well in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 4 months. When you’re ready to eat, just thaw your meat in the fridge overnight then reheat it in the oven or the microwave until warmed through.
Yes, you can easily get ahead of things by prepping the chicken the night before. In fact, this can actually result in crispier skin as the salt will help to draw out any extra moisture. Rub the butter all over, stuff the cavity and let it sit in the fridge, uncovered for up to 12 hours.
My rule of thumb is to plan for a pound of whole chicken per person, so a 4 pound chicken is perfect for four. I always like to roast a chicken larger than I need so that I can enjoy the leftovers later in the week!
Your chicken is done when a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh reads 165°F. Make sure the thermometer doesn’t touch the bone for an accurate reading!
Yes, you can. Tying the legs helps the chicken cook more evenly and maintain its shape, but it’s not mandatory. The chicken will still cook well if you skip this step!
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I’m glad you’re here! I founded Feel Good Foodie 12 years ago, back when I was still learning to cook. I’ve come a long way since then, but my number one goal is still the same: to make healthy, family-friendly cooking easy and fun for you! Need an idea for what to make for dinner tonight or want check out my authentic Lebanese recipes? Well you’ve come to the right place, and I promise you’ll leave saying, “That was good – so good!”
4 Ways to Cook a Whole Chicken | Allrecipes
FAQ
What else can I do with a whole chicken?
- App onlyOne-pot spiced roast chicken. …
- Chicken karahi. …
- App onlyRoast souvlaki-spiced chicken. …
- Roast chicken with whole garlic, bay & white wine. …
- Brown stew chicken. …
- Black pepper chicken & lemon yogurt. …
- Hainanese chicken rice. …
- Massaman curry roast chicken.
What sides go with a whole chicken?
- 01 of 10. Parmesan-Crusted Smashed Potatoes. …
- 02 of 10. Shredded Parmesan Brussels Sprouts. …
- 03 of 10. Glazed Carrots with Goat Cheese and Honey. …
- 04 of 10. Green Beans Two Ways. …
- 05 of 10. Baked Asparagus. …
- 06 of 10. Charred Broccolini Caesar with Kale and Chickpeas. …
- 07 of 10. …
- 08 of 10.
What can I make with a chicken for dinner?
- Chicken pasta bake. A star rating of 4.6 out of 5. …
- Chicken jalfrezi. A star rating of 4.5 out of 5. …
- Chicken supreme. …
- Air-fryer roast chicken. …
- One-pan piri piri chicken dinner. …
- Easy coronation chicken. …
- App onlyOne-pan hot honey & mustard parsnips & chicken thigh traybake. …
- Chicken enchiladas.
Can I make pulled chicken from a whole chicken?
Use whole chicken – when you use the whole chicken, you don’t just get a mixture of dark and light meat, you can also do extra tricks to make the meat moist …Apr 23, 2022