Lemon-Thyme Roasted Chicken with Garlic Butter

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-02 · Updated 2026-06-02

Juicy roasted chicken with a fragrant lemon and thyme butter, roasted to golden perfection for a comforting classic meal. This French chicken recipe, ready in about 95 minutes, pairs whole chicken, unsalted butter, and garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner. Each serving lands at about 480 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 "Build a week of meals around this recipe" 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.

Ingredients

• 4 pounds whole chicken
• 4 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
• 5 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tbsp fresh thyme, chopped
• 1 tsp lemon zest
• 2 tbsp lemon juice
• 2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp olive oil

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). In a small bowl, mix 4 tablespoons softened unsalted butter, 5 minced garlic cloves, 2 tablespoons chopped fresh thyme, 1 teaspoon lemon zest, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, 2 teaspoons salt, and 1 teaspoon black pepper.
2. Step 2: Pat the 4-pound whole chicken dry with paper towels, loosen the skin gently, and spread half the garlic-thyme butter under the skin, coating the breast and thighs.
3. Step 3: Rub the remaining butter all over the outside of the chicken and drizzle 1 tablespoon olive oil over it.
4. Step 4: Place the chicken breast-side up on a roasting pan and roast for 1 hour and 15 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) and the skin is golden brown.
5. Step 5: Remove from oven and rest the chicken for 15 minutes before carving.