Eleven-Spice Roasted Chicken with Citrus Herb Butter

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Juicy roasted chicken infused with a complex blend of eleven spices and topped with a bright citrus herb butter for vibrant flavor. This mediterranean-inspired new year ready in about 95 minutes pairs whole chicken, salt, black pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 520 calories and feeds 4, 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.

★ 4.4 (13 ratings) Prep: 20 min Cook: 75 min Serves 4 Mediterranean cuisine 520 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F. Pat dry 3 lbs whole chicken and season inside and out with 1 1/2 tsp salt and 1 tsp black pepper.
  2. Step 2: Rub the chicken all over with 2 tbsp eleven-spice blend, pressing into the skin.
  3. Step 3: In a small bowl, combine 4 tbsp softened unsalted butter, 1 tsp lemon zest, 2 tbsp chopped parsley, 1 tbsp chopped thyme, 1 tbsp olive oil, and 3 minced garlic cloves. Mix into an herb butter.
  4. Step 4: Gently loosen the chicken skin and spread half the herb butter beneath the skin, and the rest evenly over the skin.
  5. Step 5: Place the chicken breast-side up on a roasting pan and roast for 1 hour 15 minutes, basting occasionally with pan juices, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F and skin is golden crisp.
  6. Step 6: Let rest 10 minutes before carving and serving with pan juices.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Eleven-Spice Roasted Chicken with Citrus Herb Butter take to make?

Total time is about 95 minutes (20 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 Eleven-Spice Roasted Chicken with Citrus Herb Butter?

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 Eleven-Spice Roasted Chicken with Citrus Herb Butter?

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 Eleven-Spice Roasted Chicken with Citrus Herb Butter for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). 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 Eleven-Spice Roasted Chicken with Citrus Herb Butter?

Mediterranean new year 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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