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Unapologetic Eats

Nourish your Body, Feed your Soul

Dinner, Recipes · April 13, 2025

Garlic Butter Whole Roasted Chicken

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Garlic butter whole roasted chicken

This Garlic Butter Whole Roasted Chicken recipe is all about balance: an olive oil rub infused with fresh garlic and just the right touch of salt and pepper allows the natural umami of the chicken to shine. Whether you’re hosting a dinner party, planning a cozy Sunday supper, or looking for something special with minimal effort, this dish checks every box.

Slow Roasted Whole Chicken

When it comes to feeding a hungry group, few things are more impressive or satisfying than a whole roasted chicken. My Garlic Butter Whole Roasted Chicken is the ultimate “set it and forget it” dish — roasted low and slow for 2.5 hours at 325°F to achieve that ultra-juicy, fall-off-the-bone texture. The magic is in the simplicity: a handful of ingredients, under 10 minutes of prep, and a rich, garlicky aroma that fills your kitchen as it cooks.

Ingredients Needed to Make the Garlic Butter Whole Chicken Recipe

  • 4-5 Pound Whole Chicken
  • 3 tbsp Butter
  • 2 tbsp Olive Oil
  • 2 tsp Salt
  • 1 tsp Pepper
  • 3 Cloves of garlic, minced or grated
  • 1-2 onions quartered
Garlic butter whole roasted chicken
Garlic butter whole roasted chicken
Garlic butter whole roasted chicken
Garlic butter whole roasted chicken

Notes for Success

✔️ Pat the chicken dry before seasoning to help the skin crisp up beautifully in the oven.

✔️ Tuck the garlic oil under the skin for even more flavor infusing into the meat.

✔️ Roast low and slow on top of the quartered onions to ensure a moist, evenly cooked bird—no dry chicken here.

✔️ Let it rest for 10- 15 minutes before slicing to allow juices to redistribute for the most tender bite.

✔️ Save the drippings to drizzle over sliced chicken or use in a quick gravy.

How to Serve the Garlic Butter Whole Roasted Chicken ~

  • As a Main Dish: Serve with roasted vegetables or a simple sheet pan side like Sheet Pan Ham and Cheddar Scalloped Potatoes.
  • Serve alongside a fresh kale salad or a crisp Spinach Salad to add brightness and balance.
  • Holiday Table Favorite: Make it part of your holiday spread with all the festive favorites— stuffing, cranberry sauce, and creamy mashed potatoes.
  • Make-Ahead Meal Prep: Repurpose leftovers in a flavorful Curried Chicken salad, soups, or a cozy chicken pot pie.
  • Slice and serve with homemade focaccia bread to soak up all the garlicky drippings.

Whether you’re serving it for a special gathering or an easy weeknight dinner, this garlic butter roasted chicken brings comfort, flavor, and crowd-pleasing simplicity to the table.

Garlic butter whole roasted chicken
Garlic butter whole roasted chicken
Print Recipe

Garlic Butter Whole Roasted Chicken

Juicy, flavorful, and perfectly golden — this garlic butter whole roasted chicken is comfort food at its finest.
Prep Time10 minutes mins
Cook Time2 hours hrs 30 minutes mins
Course: dinner
Cuisine: American
Servings: 6
Author: Jennifer Struss

Ingredients

  • 4–5 pound whole chicken
  • 3 tablespoons butter
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 3 cloves garlic minced or grated
  • 1-2 onions quartered

Instructions

  • Preheat your oven to 325°F. Prepare your roasting pan or a large cast-iron or heavy pan by laying out the quartered onions in a circle on the bottom of the pan.
  • Pat the chicken dry with paper towels and place it on top of the quartered onions.
  • In a small bowl, mix together the olive oil, minced garlic, salt, and pepper. Rub the garlic oil mixture generously all over the chicken — including under the skin and inside the cavity if possible.
  • Add the 3 tablespoons of butter to the top of the chicken and roast uncovered for 2.5 hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F and the skin is deeply golden and crisp.
  • Let rest for 10–15 minutes before carving to lock in all the juices.

Notes

✔️Pat the chicken dry before seasoning to help the skin crisp up beautifully in the oven.
✔️Tuck garlic under the skin for even more flavor infusing into the meat.
✔️Roast low and slow on top of the quartered onions to ensure a moist, evenly cooked bird—no dry chicken here.
✔️ Let it rest before slicing to allow juices to redistribute for the most tender bite.
✔️ Save the drippings to drizzle over sliced chicken or use in a quick gravy.

Posted In: Dinner, Recipes · Tagged: chicken, dinner, dinner recipe, garlic chicken, holiday recipe, roasted chicken, whole chicken

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