Slow-Roasted Lemon-Garlic Herb Chicken

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

Tender chicken slowly roasted with fresh lemon, garlic, and fragrant herbs for a juicy and flavorful main dish. This mediterranean-inspired chicken ready in about 195 minutes pairs whole chicken, large, sliced lemon, minced garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 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: 15 min Cook: 180 min Serves 6 Mediterranean cuisine 350 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 300°F. Rub the whole 4 lb chicken inside and out with 3 tbsp olive oil, 1 tbsp salt, and 1 tsp black pepper evenly.
  2. Step 2: Stuff the chicken cavity with 1 large sliced lemon and 3 minced garlic cloves, then sprinkle 2 tbsp chopped rosemary and 2 tbsp chopped thyme all over the outside.
  3. Step 3: Place the chicken breast side up in a roasting pan, pour 1/2 cup chicken broth into the pan, and roast uncovered for 2.5 to 3 hours until the internal temperature reaches 165°F and skin is lightly browned.
  4. Step 4: Every 45 minutes, baste the chicken with pan juices to keep the meat moist and flavorful.
  5. Step 5: Let the chicken rest 15 minutes before carving to lock in juices, then serve with pan drippings spooned over.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow-Roasted Lemon-Garlic Herb Chicken take to make?

Total time is about 195 minutes (15 min prep + 180 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 Lemon-Garlic Herb Chicken?

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 Slow-Roasted Lemon-Garlic Herb Chicken?

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 Lemon-Garlic Herb Chicken 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 Lemon-Garlic Herb Chicken?

Mediterranean 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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