Roasted Spice-Infused Brazilian Chicken with Molho

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

A tender Brazilian-style roasted chicken seasoned with aromatic spices and served with a bold, homemade molho sauce. This brazilian-inspired chicken (gluten free) ready in about 75 minutes pairs whole chicken, smoked paprika, ground cumin for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 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. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 60 min Serves 4 Brazilian cuisine 450 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 425°F. Rinse and pat dry the 3 lbs whole chicken, then rub inside and out with 3 tbsp olive oil, 1 tbsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 1/2 tsp sea salt, and 1 tsp black pepper, ensuring even coating.
  2. Step 2: Place the seasoned chicken in a roasting pan breast side up and roast in the preheated oven for 50-60 minutes, basting every 15 minutes with the pan juices, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F and the skin is golden and crisp.
  3. Step 3: While the chicken roasts, combine 2 tbsp fresh lime juice and 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro in a small bowl, stirring to blend.
  4. Step 4: Remove the chicken from the oven, let rest for 10 minutes, then carve and serve with 1/2 cup of the molho sauce drizzled over the top and a sprinkle of the cilantro-lime mixture.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Roasted Spice-Infused Brazilian Chicken with Molho take to make?

Total time is about 75 minutes (15 min prep + 60 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 Roasted Spice-Infused Brazilian Chicken with Molho?

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 Roasted Spice-Infused Brazilian Chicken with Molho?

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 Roasted Spice-Infused Brazilian Chicken with Molho 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.

Is Roasted Spice-Infused Brazilian Chicken with Molho gluten free?

Yes — this recipe is tagged gluten free based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

Related recipes