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

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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.

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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