Citrus-Honey Roasted Chicken with Garlic and Rosemary

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Juicy roasted chicken infused with bright citrus and sweet honey, complemented by aromatic garlic and rosemary for a fragrant, flavorful meal. This mediterranean-inspired chicken ready in about 90 minutes pairs whole chicken, orange, lemon for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

★ 4.5 (11 ratings) Prep: 15 min Cook: 75 min Serves 6 Mediterranean cuisine 350 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 425°F. In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp honey, juice and zest of 1 orange, juice and zest of 1 lemon, and 3 tbsp olive oil until combined.
  2. Step 2: Pat dry 4 lbs whole chicken with paper towels and season all over with 1 tbsp salt and 1 tsp black pepper. Place chicken breast side up in a roasting pan.
  3. Step 3: Stuff the cavity with 6 smashed garlic cloves and 3 sprigs fresh rosemary. Brush the citrus-honey mixture all over the chicken skin.
  4. Step 4: Pour 1/2 cup water into the roasting pan around the chicken to keep the environment moist. Roast for 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes, basting every 20 minutes with pan juices, until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
  5. Step 5: Remove chicken and let rest for 10 minutes before carving. The citrus and honey glaze will caramelize to a golden finish, while garlic and rosemary infuse savory notes.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Citrus-Honey Roasted Chicken with Garlic and Rosemary take to make?

Total time is about 90 minutes (15 min prep + 75 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Citrus-Honey Roasted Chicken with Garlic and Rosemary?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep whole chicken from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Citrus-Honey Roasted Chicken with Garlic and Rosemary?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Citrus-Honey Roasted Chicken with Garlic and Rosemary for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Citrus-Honey Roasted Chicken with Garlic and Rosemary?

Mediterranean chicken like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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