Garlic-Herb Oven Roasted Whole Chicken
A Flavorful Keto-Friendly Recipe
If you’re looking for a delicious and satisfying meal that is perfect for a Sunday dinner with friends and family, then look no further than the Garlic-Herb Oven Roasted Whole Chicken. This flavorful chicken recipe is not only a crowd pleaser but also fits perfectly within a keto diet. With the added benefit of being able to repurpose leftovers for future meals, it’s a true home run.
Key Takeaway
Garlic-Herb Whole Roasted Chicken is a keto-friendly recipe that offers incredible flavor while aligning with a low-carb, high-fat diet. Packed with lean protein, essential vitamins, and minerals, this dish supports weight management goals while providing important nutrients. Versatile and easy to prepare, this recipe is perfect for any occasion. Pair it with roasted vegetables or a fresh salad to create a complete meal that will leave everyone satisfied.
What is Garlic-Herb Whole Roasted Chicken?
Garlic-Herb Whole Roasted Chicken is a classic dish that involves roasting an entire chicken seasoned with garlic, fresh poultry herbs like thyme, rosemary, and sage, and butter. The chicken is placed on top of thick slices of onion in a skillet to elevate it while it cooks. As the chicken roasts in the oven, it develops crispy skin and tender meat infused with aromatic flavors.
This recipe has its roots in traditional cooking techniques used to roast whole chickens. However, by adding garlic, herbs, and using organic ingredients where possible, we enhance both the taste and nutritional value of this dish.
What Makes this recipe Keto Friendly?
The key to making this Garlic-Herb Whole Roasted Chicken keto-friendly lies in its choice of ingredients:
- Chicken: Skin-on chicken provides healthy fats while keeping carb count low.
- Onion: Used as a base in the skillet, onions add flavor without significantly impacting carb intake.
- Herbs: Fresh herbs like thyme and rosemary are low-carb options that pack lots of flavor into each bite.
- Butter: High in fat content but extremely low in carbs or sugars.
- Garlic: While providing wonderful flavor, garlic adds negligible carbs to the recipe.
- Chicken broth: When opting for sugar-free organic broth, you can enjoy added depth without worrying about hidden carbs.
Together, these ingredients create a dish that beautifully aligns with a keto lifestyle.
Health Benefits of oven roasted Whole Chicken
Besides being keto-friendly, this recipe offers several health benefits:
- High in Protein: Chicken is an excellent source of lean protein, supporting muscle growth and repair.
- Rich in Vitamins and Minerals: Fresh herbs like thyme, rosemary, and sage provide essential vitamins and minerals while adding antioxidant properties to the dish.
- Boosts Immune System: Garlic has immune-boosting properties due to its sulfur compounds which can help fight off infections.
- Heart Healthy Fats: The chicken skin contains healthy fats that can contribute to heart health when consumed as part of a balanced diet.
To summarize, this Garlic-Herb Whole Roasted Chicken recipe is not only delicious but also provides important nutrients and supports optimal health within the context of a ketogenic diet.
Here’s a breakdown of the nutritional values per serving:
Calorie Breakdown
*Source: HappyForks.com recipe analyzer.
Please note that these values are approximate and may vary depending on specific brands or measurements used.
Why Should You Try this Chicken?
If you’re still on the fence about trying this recipe, here are three reasons why it is worth adding to your meal rotation:
- Incredible Flavor: The combination of garlic, fresh herbs, and butter infuses the chicken with irresistible flavors that will delight your taste buds.
- Versatility: Leftovers from this whole roasted chicken can be used for a variety of dishes such as homemade chicken stock or in soups and salads for quick meals later in the week.
- Easy Preparation: With just 15 minutes preparation time plus resting time combined with simple cooking instructions to follow, you’ll have a flavorful roast chicken ready without much effort.
Try out this recipe yourself, you’ll experience firsthand how it delivers on flavor while being versatile and easy to make.
Recipe
Garlic-Herb Whole Roasted Chicken
Ingredients
Ingredients:
- 1 large white onion cut into thick slices
- 1 5-6 lb. whole chicken
- Sea salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 small container fresh poultry herbs thyme, rosemary, & sage, rinsed and divided
- ¼ c. unsalted butter room temperature
- 6-8 cloves garlic finely minced, divided
- 1 c. sugar-free organic chicken broth
Instructions
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 425° F and arrange onion slices in bottom of a large, heavy-duty 12” skillet with high sides.
- Remove and discard neck and giblets from chicken and place bird breast-side up on top of onion slices in skillet. Pat chicken dry with paper towels and generously season the outside with salt and black pepper.
- Separate out approximately 1/3 of the fresh thyme, rosemary, and sage from the bundle. Remove and discard the tough stems from the thyme and rosemary leaves. Combine the leaves with the sage before roughly chopping.
- Add the softened butter, half the minced garlic, and the chopped fresh poultry herbs in a small bowl and stir to combine. Divide the herb butter into small chunks before tucking evenly under the chicken skin covering the breast meat.
- Massage the remaining minced garlic inside the cavity of the bird before stuffing with the remaining fresh poultry herbs. Secure legs together with kitchen string, and then add the chicken broth to the skillet.
- Place skillet in pre-heated oven and roast for 1 hour and 30 minutes or until a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh reads 165° F. Check every 30 minutes while cooking to make sure the skin isn’t becoming too brown. If it is, cover with aluminum foil after 1 hour and check for doneness after another 15-20 minutes.
- Remove skillet from oven and carefully transfer chicken to a serving platter. Cover loosely with aluminum foil to keep warm and let rest for 15-20 minutes.
- While the chicken rests, discard the onion slices in the skillet and heat the remaining liquid over medium-high heat. Scrape the bottom of the skillet with a spatula or wooden spoon to remove the browned bits. Continue cooking until the liquid is reduced by one half. Once reduced, taste and season with salt and black pepper, if desired.
- To serve, carve the chicken and top each serving with a spoonful of the warm pan sauce. Enjoy!
Notes
Recipe Variations
If you’re looking to switch things up or cater to specific dietary preferences, here are a few variations of the Garlic-Herb Whole Roasted Chicken recipe:
- Lemon-Herb Roasted Chicken: Replace garlic with lemon zest and juice for a refreshing twist on this classic roast chicken.
- Spicy Roasted Chicken: Add red pepper flakes or chili powder to the minced garlic mixture for an extra kick of heat.
- Bacon-Wrapped Roast Chicken: Wrap the seasoned chicken in bacon slices before roasting to add smoky flavors and additional fat.
Feel free to get creative and experiment with different herbs or spices based on your personal taste preferences.
Why Does this Roasted Chicken Work?
The success of this recipe lies in its combination of flavors and cooking techniques. The aromatic blend of garlic and fresh poultry herbs creates a savory profile that infuses every bite. Cooking the chicken on top of thick onion slices not only adds flavor but also elevates it above the pan juices, resulting in a juicy bird without soggy skin.
Roasting the chicken at a high temperature allows for crispy skin while ensuring the meat remains tender and moist. The addition of butter under the skin and inside the cavity enhances richness, while garlic adds depth to both the meat and pan sauce.
Make it a Meal
To create a complete meal around Garlic-Herb Whole Roasted Chicken, consider pairing it with one (or more) of these delicious sides:
This is a great salad to pair with this dish.
- Roasted Vegetables: Toss vegetables like Brussels sprouts, carrots, or cauliflower florets in olive oil, season with salt, pepper, and your favorite herbs, then roast them alongside the chicken.
- Green Salad: Prepare a fresh salad using mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, avocado slices topped with tangy vinaigrette for added freshness.
- Cauliflower Mash: Swap traditional mashed potatoes for a low-carb cauliflower mash, seasoned with garlic and herbs.
- Grilled Asparagus: Lightly coat asparagus spears in olive oil, season with salt and pepper, then grill until tender-crisp for a delicious side dish.
By pairing Garlic-Herb Whole Roasted Chicken with these sides, you’ll create a well-rounded and satisfying meal that is sure to impress.
Frequently Asked Questions
Feel free to comment below if you have any additional questions!
Let’s Wrap This Up
Garlic-Herb Whole Roasted Chicken is not just another ordinary recipe; it’s a flavorsome and keto-friendly dish that checks all the boxes: incredible flavor profile, versatility in terms of leftovers usage, and simple preparation steps. Whether you’re serving it on Sunday dinner or making it ahead for easy meal prepping during busy weekdays, this recipe is sure to become a staple in your kitchen.
Don’t hesitate to try out this mouthwatering dish and share your experiences. Remember, cooking is all about experimenting and adding your personal touch. Stay tuned for more delicious recipes and other informative content. Happy cooking!
