Javascript required
Skip to content Skip to sidebar Skip to footer

How Long to Roast a Chicken at 400

Jump to Recipe

This easy Juicy Roast Chicken recipe is simple to prepare and full of flavor. It is a baked whole chicken that is tender and juicy with a delicious crispy browned skin and only requires a few simple ingredients.

Try this dish for an easy yet impressive Christmas, Thanksgiving, or New Year's dinner.

As an Amazon Associate I may make a small commission if you make a purchase through product links in this post.

a graphic of Easy Juicy Roast Chicken Recipe in a cast iron skillet
Juicy Roast Chicken

How to bake a whole chicken:

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 C) and move the oven rack to the lowest position.

Remove the package containing the liver, heart, gizzard, and neck from the cavity of the chicken. Discard or use however you like.

Rinse the chicken inside and out.

Pat the outside and inside very dry and remove any leftover pin feathers.

Generously salt and pepper the inside of the chicken.

Place the chicken in a 10 inch cast iron skillet. Click for a 10 inch cast iron skillet.

a whole chicken in a cast iron skillet

Turn the chicken breast side down in the skillet. Melt the butter and brush the outside of the chicken with half of the butter.

Turn the chicken over, breast side up, and brush with the remaining melted butter.

melted butter rubbed all over a whole chicken in a cast iron skillet

Sprinkle the outside of the chicken with the salt, pepper, thyme, and paprika.

salt, pepper, thyme, and paprika sprinkled onto a whole chicken in a cast iron skillet

Tie the leg ends together with the kitchen cooking twine.  Click for kitchen cooking twine.

a whole chicken with the legs tied with kitchen cooking twine in a cast iron skillet ready to bake

Bake the chicken for 1 1/2 hours, or until the juices run clear when you cut between a leg and thigh. Chicken is done cooking when the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F (75 C). Use a meat or instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh but not touching bone.

Remove the chicken from the oven and cover with aluminum foil for about 20 minutes.

tin foil tent over cooked whole roast chicken

Carve the chicken and serve on a platter.

Not sure how to carve it? Check out this video on How to Carve a Roast Chicken.

Easy Juicy Whole Roasted Chicken baked in a cast iron skillet
Juicy Roasted Chicken

Tips for roasting a whole chicken:

  • Pat it dry. If you don't pat it dry, the liquid on the bird will steam the skin instead of make it crispy so take the time to pat it dry.
  • Salt the interior and the exterior. You could salt it a few days early to help dry out the skin and make it even crispier, or you can salt it a few minutes before and it will still turn out great.
  • Use butter and herbs on the skin. This will baste the chicken while it cooks, add flavor, and be delicious.
  • Rest the chicken after removing it from the oven. It will allow the juices to reabsorb and help it be so moist and juicy.
  • Chicken is done cooking when the juices run clear and the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F (75 C). Use a meat or instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh but not touching bone.
a baked whole Easy Juicy Roast Chicken in a cast iron skillet
Baked Whole Chicken

One Pan Roasted Chicken and Veggies

One Pan Roasted Chicken and Veggies is super easy and delicious as well. The chicken is seasoned perfectly and comes out juicy with a tasty crispy skin. Roasting vegetables in the oven brings out their sweetness and natural flavors.

Skillet Roasted Cod with Garlic Butter

Skillet Roasted Cod with Garlic Butter is delicious, easy and quick to prepare. Simply cook the fish in an ovenproof cast iron skillet then top with a savory garlic butter flavored with mustard, onion, and parsley.

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes

Rest: 20 minutes

Total Time: 2 hours

This easy juicy Roast Chicken recipe is simple to prepare and full of flavor. It is a whole oven roasted chicken that is tender and juicy with a delicious crispy browned skin and only requires a few simple ingredients.

Ingredients

  • 1 roasting chicken (about 5 lbs)
  • Kosher salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 Tablespoons butter
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • Kitchen twine

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 C) and move the oven rack to the lowest position.
  2. Remove the package containing the liver, heart, gizzard, and neck from the cavity of the chicken. Discard or use however you like.
  3. Rinse the chicken inside and out.
  4. Pat the outside and inside very dry and remove any leftover pin feathers.
  5. Generously salt and pepper the inside of the chicken.
  6. Place the chicken breast side down in a 10 inch cast iron skillet. Click for a 10 inch cast iron skillet.
  7. Melt the butter and brush the outside of the chicken with half of the butter. Turn the chicken over, breast side up, and brush with the remaining melted butter.
  8. Sprinkle the outside of the chicken with the salt, pepper, thyme, and paprika.
  9. Tie the leg ends together with the kitchen cooking twine. Click for kitchen cooking twine.
  10. Bake the chicken for 1 1/2 hours, or until the juices run clear when you cut between a leg and thigh. Chicken is done cooking when the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F (75 C). Use a meat or instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh but not touching bone.
  11. Remove the chicken from the oven and cover with aluminum foil for about 20 minutes.
  12. Carve the chicken and serve on a platter.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

6

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 274 Total Fat: 17g Saturated Fat: 6g Trans Fat: 0g Unsaturated Fat: 9g Cholesterol: 98mg Sodium: 209mg Carbohydrates: 0g Fiber: 0g Sugar: 0g Protein: 27g

a Juicy Roast Chicken in a cast iron skillet.
Easy Juicy Roast Chicken Recipe

Juicy Roast Chicken Web Story

How Long to Roast a Chicken at 400

Source: https://zonacooks.com/easy-juicy-roast-chicken/