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If you are like me, you probably grab that rotisserie chicken from your local grocery store every once in a while because it just makes dinner so easy! But, have you considered this even better option? To bake a whole chicken at home is surprisingly simple. All you need is that very oven you have in your kitchen – no complicated smokers or outdoor stuff. You get to decide what ingredients to use, and you have total control over the cooking process, which means you achieve the results that please you the most! This whole chicken recipe results in crispy, golden skin with tender, juicy meat inside. Something we all love.

Ingredients to Bake a Whole Chicken

There are many ways to season chicken, so feel free to make slight adjustments to my list of ingredients below. To bake a whole chicken, you will need:

1 whole (young) chicken (approximately 4-5 lbs)
Olive oil – about 3 tbsp: Helps retain that moisture, adds flavor to the chicken, and contributes to the even browning of the skin. Go for the light-tasting olive oil for frying and baking rather than the robust extra virgin oil. The latter, often meant for salads and marinades, doesn’t do well with high heat.
Paprika – 2 tsp: A must-have ingredient for both color and flavor. Its deep red color significantly contributes to an appetizing baked chicken.
Onion powder – 2 tsp: Always a great addition to baked meats.
Garlic powder – 2 tsp: Together with onion powder, they give all baked meats a nice aroma and a wonderful flavor.

Rotisserie chicken seasoning – 2 tsp: Well, because we are baking a whole chicken. If you can’t find it, don’t worry. It is one of the ingredients that you can safely omit from this recipe and still achieve tantalizing results. Also, note that this seasoning already contains salt.
Poultry seasoning – 2 tsp: Contains rosemary and thyme among other herbs that are perfect seasonings for chicken. If you can’t get your hands on poultry seasoning, feel free to use ground thyme and dried rosemary in its place.
Adobo seasoning – 2tsp: This bright yellow seasoning not only adds a massive amount of flavor to the chicken, but it also adds to the desired final look. It contains a lot of salt, so be careful not to add too much salt again later. You can leave it out as well if you can’t find it.
Italian seasoning – 2 tsp: I love to add Italian seasoning to this recipe because, unlike other ground herbs which are powdery, this seasoning has bits and pieces of herbs that contribute to the perfect look and texture of the skin, and give the baked chicken such an appetizing look.
Dried Parsley – 2 tsp: Besides playing the same role as the Italian seasoning, parsley also has a beautiful aroma.
Black pepper – 2 tsp: Simply enhances the look and the taste of the meat.
Salt to taste
Melted butter – 4 tbsp: Like the olive oil at the beginning, butter also adds to the moisture, flavor, and even browning of the chicken.

Steps to Bake a Whole Chicken

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken

‘Start by preheating your oven to 350°F. Remove the chicken from its packaging and discard any giblets from the cavity. Rinse the chicken thoroughly under cold water. Then, place the chicken on a clean cutting board breast side down, and, using kitchen shears, remove the backbone of the chicken. This step is not difficult at all, so don’t get worried (see how I do it here). Once done with that step, crack the breastbone with a sharp knife, then flip the chicken breast side up and butterfly it by pressing the middle of the chest with the palm of your hand. Pat the whole chicken dry with paper towels—this step is crucial for achieving crispy skin.

NOTE: Removing the backbone allows you to lay the chicken flat on the grill pan, thus achieving an even and crispy bake all through.

Step 2: Rub Olive Oil Over the Chicken

Drizzle the olive oil over the entire chicken, using your hands to massage it into the skin. The olive oil not only helps the seasoning adhere but also promotes even browning. Make sure to rub it into the cavity as well.

Step 3: Season the Chicken with Ground Spices

In a small bowl, mix together all of the ground spices listed above together with salt. Generously season the chicken inside and out with this spice mixture, ensuring every inch is coated. Rub the seasonings onto the inner side, but gently pat them onto the skin as rubbing would cause the seasonings to clump up and fall off the skin.

Step 4: Lay the Chicken on the Grill Pan

Prepare the Cast Iron Grill Pan by rubbing softened butter all over its surface. Then, gently lift the chicken and lay it on the grill pan with the breast side facing up. Place the thighs facing either inward or outward. Note that placing them facing inward may lead to cracking of the skin as the chicken cooks, as shown in my image below. Also, tuck the wings nicely so they don’t burn before the chicken is done.

Step 5: Drizzle Butter Over the Chicken

Melt the unsalted butter and slowly drizzle it over the seasoned chicken using a baster or gently with a basting brush. Drizzle the butter evenly all over the top to add richness and help create an extra crispy, golden-brown skin.

Step 6: Bake the chicken

Transfer the chicken to the preheated oven and roast at 350°F for one hour or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C) in the thickest part of the thigh. Baste the chicken with pan drippings halfway through the cooking process to enhance moisture and flavor. If the skin is browning too quickly, tent the bird loosely with aluminum foil.

Step 7: Resting and Serving

Once done, remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for at least 15 minutes before carving. Resting allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring each bite is succulent and flavorful.

Carve the chicken by removing the legs first, then slicing the breast meat. Serve with roasted vegetables like these crispy Brussels sprouts, mashed potatoes, or a side salad like this quinoa salad or couscous salad for a well-rounded meal.

My Amazon Affiliate Links

Please purchase any items you may need to make this recipe through these links to support this blog. I will earn commissions at no additional cost to you. Thank you so much!

Cast iron grill pan: https://amzn.to/4i8UIOZ

Poultry/Kitchen shears: https://amzn.to/3CYow0V

Baking sheet: https://amzn.to/3Ap6e7x

Tongs for cooking: https://amzn.to/3WGVPM2

Oven thermometer: https://amzn.to/46GEZl1

Stainless Steel Cutlery set: https://amzn.to/3LYMPgi

Porcelain dinnerware set: https://amzn.to/3M3tHh9

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