Slow-Roasted Chile and Citrus Chicken with Roasted Vegetables

By Lauren Mitchell, Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-28 · Updated 2026-04-28

Whole chicken roasted slowly with a spicy chile rub and fresh citrus, served alongside caramelized root vegetables for a hearty meal. This mexican-inspired street food ready in about 140 minutes pairs whole chicken (about 4 lbs), dried ancho chile powder, garlic powder for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. 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 "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.

Ingredients

• 1 whole chicken (about 4 lbs)
• 2 tbsp dried ancho chile powder
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/4 cup fresh orange juice
• 2 tbsp fresh lime juice
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 3 cups carrots, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces
• 3 cups sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes
• 1 large red onion, cut into wedges

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a small bowl, combine 2 tbsp dried ancho chile powder, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper to make a spice rub.
2. Step 2: Rub the spice mixture all over the entire surface of 1 whole 4-lb chicken, then drizzle with 1/4 cup fresh orange juice, 2 tbsp fresh lime juice, and 3 tbsp olive oil, massaging the citrus and oil into the skin.
3. Step 3: Preheat oven to 325°F. Place the chicken breast side up on a roasting rack inside a roasting pan.
4. Step 4: Toss 3 cups peeled and cut carrots, 3 cups peeled and cubed sweet potatoes, and 1 large red onion cut into wedges with 1 tbsp olive oil and a pinch of salt. Arrange the vegetables around the chicken in the pan.
5. Step 5: Roast the chicken and vegetables for 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours, basting the chicken with pan juices every 30 minutes, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F and vegetables are tender and caramelized.
6. Step 6: Remove from oven and let chicken rest for 15 minutes before carving. Serve chicken with the roasted vegetables.