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Jamie Oliver Perfect Roast Chicken Recipe

Jamie Oliver Perfect Roast Chicken

Jamie Oliver’s Perfect Roast Chicken is a beautifully seasoned, tender, and juicy whole chicken roasted with simple aromatics like lemon, garlic, and fresh herbs. It is cooked to golden perfection with a crispy skin and moist, flavorful meat, often served with a rustic gravy made from the pan juices.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Resting time 15 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 50 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: British
Calories: 300
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 whole chicken about 1.5 kg or 3.5 pounds
  • 2 lemons
  • 1 bulb of garlic
  • A few sprigs of fresh thyme rosemary, or sage
  • Olive oil
  • Salt and pepper
  • 1 large onion
  • 2 carrots
  • 2 sticks of celery
Optional for the gravy:
  • 1 tablespoon plain flour
  • 1 cup chicken stock or water

Equipment

  • Oven

Method
 

  1. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
  2. Take the chicken out of the fridge 30 minutes before you cook it to bring it to room temperature.
  3. Peel and roughly chop the onion, carrot, and celery and scatter them into the bottom of a roasting tray.
  4. Halve the lemons and crush the garlic bulb slightly without peeling.
  5. Season the chicken generously all over with salt, pepper, and a drizzle of olive oil. Rub the seasoning into the skin.
  6. Stuff the chicken cavity with the lemon halves, some garlic cloves, and a few herb sprigs.
  7. Place the chicken on top of the chopped vegetables in the roasting tray.
  8. Roast in the oven for about 1 hour 20 minutes, or until the juices run clear when you pierce the thickest part of the thigh.
  9. Baste the chicken halfway through with the juices from the tray.
  10. Once cooked, remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for 10 to 15 minutes before carving.
  11. For a simple gravy, remove the chicken and place the tray over low heat. Mash the vegetables, sprinkle in the flour, stir well, and add stock or water. Simmer and strain if desired.

Notes

My Tips to Make the Best Jamie Oliver Perfect Roast Chicken
  • Use a good quality free-range chicken if you can because the flavor difference is noticeable.
  • Always let the chicken rest before carving to keep it juicy.
  • And do not skip seasoning the chicken generously. The more flavor you add before roasting, the better it will taste after.

Nutritional Value

Approximate nutritional value per serving (without sides):
  • Calories: 250 to 300
  • Protein: 25 to 30 grams
  • Fat: 15 to 18 grams
  • Carbohydrates: 2 to 4 grams
  • Fiber: 0 to 1 gram
The exact values can vary based on portion size and additional sides.