Spiced Macadamia and Lemon Myrtle Chicken Roast

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Juicy roasted chicken infused with Australian native lemon myrtle and crunchy macadamia nuts for a fragrant, flavorful meal. This australian-inspired chicken ready in about 100 minutes pairs whole chicken, about 4 lbs, lemon myrtle powder, macadamia nuts, chopped 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: 80 min Serves 6 Australian cuisine 420 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F. In a small bowl, combine 4 tbsp softened unsalted butter, 2 tsp lemon myrtle powder, 4 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp sea salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper until smooth.
  2. Step 2: Pat the 1 whole chicken dry with paper towels. Gently loosen the skin over the breast and thighs by sliding fingers underneath.
  3. Step 3: Rub half of the lemon myrtle butter mixture evenly under the skin, and the rest all over the skin surface. Drizzle 2 tbsp olive oil over the chicken.
  4. Step 4: Stuff the cavity with 4 fresh thyme sprigs and drizzle 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice inside.
  5. Step 5: Place the chicken breast side up on a roasting pan and sprinkle 1/2 cup chopped macadamia nuts evenly over the top.
  6. Step 6: Roast the chicken uncovered for 1 hour 20 minutes, basting every 20 minutes with pan juices, until internal temperature reaches 165°F and skin is golden.
  7. Step 7: Rest the chicken for 10 minutes before carving to lock in juices.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Spiced Macadamia and Lemon Myrtle Chicken Roast take to make?

Total time is about 100 minutes (20 min prep + 80 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 Spiced Macadamia and Lemon Myrtle Chicken Roast?

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, about 4 lbs from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Spiced Macadamia and Lemon Myrtle Chicken Roast?

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 Spiced Macadamia and Lemon Myrtle Chicken Roast 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 Spiced Macadamia and Lemon Myrtle Chicken Roast?

Australian 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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