5 Ingredient Oven Roasted Whole Chicken

This easy oven roasted whole chicken is proof that a delicious homemade dinner doesn’t need a long ingredient list. With just 5 simple ingredients, you can roast a whole chicken until the skin is golden and crispy while the meat stays juicy and flavorful.

This easy whole chicken recipe uses melted butter, olive oil, garlic powder, and salt to create a simple savory coating that works beautifully with the natural flavor of the chicken. Everything goes into one baking dish, making this a practical easy family dinner, Sunday supper, or comforting weeknight meal.

Serve this 5-ingredient roasted chicken with mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, green beans, rice, or a fresh salad. And don’t throw away the pan juices—they’re delicious spooned over potatoes, rice, or the sliced chicken.

Why You’ll Love This Easy Whole Chicken Recipe

• Only 5 ingredients: Simple pantry staples keep the recipe affordable and convenient.
• Easy preparation: There’s no complicated marinade or elaborate seasoning required.
• Juicy and flavorful: Butter and olive oil help keep the chicken moist while adding richness.
• Golden, crispy skin: Properly drying the chicken before roasting helps the skin brown beautifully.
• Budget-friendly family meal: A whole chicken can provide several servings plus leftovers.
• Perfect for meal prep: Leftover roasted chicken can be used in sandwiches, salads, wraps, soups, casseroles, and pasta.
• One-dish cleanup: Roasting everything in one baking dish keeps preparation and cleanup simple.

Servings: 4–6
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 20 minutes–1 hour 35 minutes
Resting Time: 10–15 minutes
Oven Temperature: 375°F

Ingredients

• 1 whole chicken, about 4–5 pounds
• 4 tablespoons butter, melted
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 tablespoon garlic powder
• 1½ teaspoons salt

How to Roast a Whole Chicken

1. Prepare the chicken

Preheat your oven to 375°F.

Remove the chicken from its packaging and pat it thoroughly dry with paper towels. Place the chicken breast-side up in a large glass baking dish.

Drying the skin well is an important step because excess moisture can prevent the skin from becoming nicely browned and crisp.

2. Make the simple seasoning mixture

In a small bowl, combine the melted butter, olive oil, garlic powder, and salt.

Brush the seasoned butter mixture generously over the entire chicken. Make sure to cover the breast, thighs, legs, wings, and sides as evenly as possible.

3. Roast until golden and cooked through

Tuck the wing tips underneath the chicken if desired.

Roast the chicken uncovered for approximately 1 hour 20 minutes to 1 hour 35 minutes, depending on its size and your oven.

Begin checking the temperature before the estimated cooking time is finished. The thickest part of the thigh should reach 165°F on a food thermometer.

4. Let the chicken rest

Remove the chicken from the oven and allow it to rest for 10–15 minutes before carving.

Resting allows the juices to redistribute through the meat, helping the chicken stay moist when sliced.

Spoon some of the flavorful pan juices over the chicken before serving.

Easy Ways to Make This Roast Chicken Even Better

Add dried herbs

For a classic herb-roasted chicken flavor, add about 1 teaspoon of dried thyme, rosemary, or Italian seasoning to the butter mixture.

Get extra-crispy chicken skin

For especially crisp skin, place the uncovered chicken in the refrigerator for several hours before roasting. Pat it dry once more before applying the butter mixture.

Turn it into a one-pan dinner

If your baking dish is large enough, arrange chopped carrots, onion, or small potatoes around the chicken. The vegetables will roast in the flavorful drippings while the chicken cooks.

Save the pan juices

The flavorful drippings are one of the best parts of this recipe. Spoon them over mashed potatoes, rice, roasted vegetables, or the chicken itself.

You can also use leftover chicken and pan juices to make an easy lunch the next day.

Check the temperature early

Whole chickens can vary considerably in size, and ovens can cook differently. Start checking the internal temperature about 15 minutes before the expected cooking time is complete to help prevent overcooking.

What to Serve With Oven Roasted Chicken

This simple roasted chicken pairs well with almost any classic side dish:

• Creamy mashed potatoes
• Roasted carrots
• Green beans
• Steamed rice
• Roasted potatoes
• Garden salad
• Corn on the cob
• Warm dinner rolls
• Mac and cheese
• Roasted seasonal vegetables

How to Store Leftover Roast Chicken

Allow leftover chicken to cool, then place it in an airtight container and refrigerate promptly.

Use the leftover meat in sandwiches, wraps, salads, soups, casseroles, pasta dishes, or quick chicken-and-rice meals.

For the best texture, gently reheat the chicken with a little of the reserved pan juice or another small amount of broth.