Slow-Roasted Chicken with Garlic, Lemon, and Greek Herbs

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

Juicy whole chicken slow-roasted with a fragrant blend of garlic, lemon, rosemary, and thyme for a classic Greek-inspired roast. This greek-inspired chicken ready in about 155 minutes pairs (4 lbs), patted dry whole chicken, extra virgin olive oil, minced garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 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.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 135 min Serves 6 Greek cuisine 420 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 325°F. In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, 6 minced garlic cloves, 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice, 2 tbsp chopped fresh rosemary, 2 tbsp chopped fresh thyme, 2 tsp kosher salt, and 1 tsp black pepper to make the herb marinade.
  2. Step 2: Rub the entire 4 lb whole chicken generously with the marinade, both on the skin and under the skin where possible. Stuff the cavity with 1 quartered whole lemon.
  3. Step 3: Place the chicken breast-side up on a roasting rack inside a roasting pan.
  4. Step 4: Roast the chicken for approximately 2 hours 15 minutes, or until the internal temperature in the thickest part of the thigh reaches 165°F and the juices run clear.
  5. Step 5: Remove the chicken from the oven and tent loosely with foil. Let it rest for 15 minutes before carving to allow juices to redistribute.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow-Roasted Chicken with Garlic, Lemon, and Greek Herbs take to make?

Total time is about 155 minutes (20 min prep + 135 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 Slow-Roasted Chicken with Garlic, Lemon, and Greek Herbs?

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 extra virgin olive oil from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Roasted Chicken with Garlic, Lemon, and Greek Herbs?

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 Slow-Roasted Chicken with Garlic, Lemon, and Greek Herbs 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 Slow-Roasted Chicken with Garlic, Lemon, and Greek Herbs?

Greek 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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