In this article, I’ll show you the average weight of raw and cooked whole chickens, along with charts to help you work out how much chicken meat you can expect to get from a whole cooked chicken
Whole raw chicken weights vary pretty considerably, and they’re usually categorized into various sizes to make it easier for consumers to know what size they’re buying
In general, whole raw chickens that you buy from stores, supermarkets, and butchers range in size from the smallest at around 1kg (22lb) to the largest at about 25kg (55lb)
A raw average-sized medium chicken weighs around 14kg (31lb), and a chicken of this size will feed about 4 people
When cooked, the chicken will reduce in weight due to loss of fluids
I’ll cover how much cooked chickens weigh and how much meat you can expect per chicken later on in this article
Whole Raw Chicken Size Guide
To keep things simple, I’ve categorized chickens into sizes as they’re generally sold in supermarkets and stores
The chart below shows average chicken weights in both metric and imperial, from small to extra-large:
Whole Raw Chicken SizeWeight in kg & lb’sSmall1-13kg / 22-287lbMedium13-17kg / 287-375lbLarge17-2kg / 375-44lbExtra Large2kg plus / 44lb plus
Like this one, Greater Goods Nourish Portions, that not only weighs an ingredient – it also tells you the nutritional information for over 2000 different foods and enables you to make your own custom entries
Once you know how much weight a whole chicken weighs after cooking, it’s easy to calculate the cooked weight and potential meat yield
Because a whole chicken contains bones and is covered with fatty skin it retains more liquid than skinless and boneless chicken which will dry out more during the cooking process
As a general rule, a good quality free-range chicken with no added water will reduce in weight by around 25% when it’s cooked
So to calculate the weight of a cooked whole chicken, you will need to deduct 25% from the original raw weight
Whole Cooked Chicken Size Guide
The chart below shows how much you can expect a chicken to weigh after cooking for each size category, in both metric and imperial weights
These figures are based on average amounts and assume that a chicken will reduce weight by around 25% during the cooking process
Whole Chicken SizeRaw Weight in kg & lbCooked Weight in kg & lbSmall1-13kg / 22-287lb750-975g / 17-21lbMedium13-17kg / 287-375lb975g -13kg / 21-29lbLarge17-2kg / 375-44lb13-15kg / 29-33lbExtra Large2kg / 44lb plus15kg / 33lb plus
I’ve done some experiments to determine how much meat you can expect from a whole-cooked chicken based on each size category
This information is based on average weights and assumes that the bone and skin account for around 60% of the overall weight of a whole chicken
Please note, weights will differ slightly between each chicken depending on the size and other factors such as age
The chart below shows the average cooked meat yield for each size of whole chicken (including the brown and white meat)
Whole Chicken Size& Raw WeightCooked Weight in kg & lbAverage Meat Yield (cooked)Small1-13kg / 22-287lb750-975g / 17-21lb300-390gMedium13-17kg / 287-375lb975g -13kg / 21-29lb390-520gLarge17-2kg / 375-44lb13-15kg / 29-33lb520-600gExtra Large2kg / 44lb plus15kg / 33lb plus600g -800g
If you’re meal planning or need to know the recommended portion size of roasted chicken meat, here’s the information:
For nutrition purposes, the USDA confirms the recommended portion size of chicken as 100g (35oz), which is equal to 165 calories (in kcal)
If you’re meal planning for a group of people, it’s a good idea to allow for a larger portion of chicken per person to make sure there’s enough for everyone, especially if they’re a hungry group
Based on the recommended serving size per person, the chart below shows how many people you can expect to serve from average-sized chickens in each size category
Whole Raw Chicken SizeWeight in kg & lbNumber of servings (people)Small1-13kg / 22-287lb2-3Medium13-17kg / 287-375lb4-5Large17-2kg / 375-44lb5-6Extra Large2kg plus / 44lb plus6-8
If you’re feeding a hungry crowd, it’s always a good idea to use the lower number of servings and cook an extra chicken or a larger size to make sure there’s enough to go around
More Whole Chicken Weight FAQs
More Whole Chicken Weight FAQs
A chicken with a raw weight of 4lb (18kg) will weigh around 3lb (136kg) when cooked
A chicken with a raw weight of 4lb (18kg) will weigh around 3lb (136kg) when cooked
You can expect a brown and white meat yield of around 12lb (544g) per chicken
You can expect a brown and white meat yield of around 12lb (544g) per chicken
Chicken Meat Weights & Calories (All Types In Charts)
Chickens are intelligent and full of character, so some people have them as pets
On average, a regular chicken weighs between 57 to 6 pounds
Nevertheless, there are a variety of chicken breeds that can be lighter and heavier
If you want to learn more about how much a variety of chickens weigh, continue reading
In this article, you’ll learn about determining chicken weights, including the weight differences between hens and roosters
What Determines Chicken Weight?How Much Does a Live Chicken Weigh?How Does Hens Compare With Roosters in Weight?How Much Does a Newly Hatched Chick Weigh?What Are the Heaviest Chicken Breeds?What Are the Lightest Chicken Breeds in the World?Medium-Sized Chicken BreedsHow Much Does a Chicken Breast Weigh?How Much Do Boneless Chicken Thighs Weigh?How Much Does a Whole Chicken Leg Weigh?How Much Does Half a Chicken Weigh?
What Determines Chicken Weight?
Factors that determine the weight of a chicken include its breed, food availability, plumage, muscle mass, and bone weight
The breed of a chicken can easily affect its weight
Remember that there are a variety of chicken breeds, with some smaller and bigger than others
As a result, certain breeds will be lighter, and some will be heavier than the average chicken
Another factor that determines the weight of a chicken is its food availability
The amount of muscle that the chicken developed is also a big factor in determining its weight
How Much Does a Live Chicken Weigh?
A live chicken weighs an average of 57 to 6 pounds
For example, the aptly-named Jersey Giant chicken can weigh up to 15 pounds
On the other hand, small bantam chicken breeds only weigh 3 pounds or less
In terms of weight, there’s no denying that roosters are heavier than hens
In most chicken breeds, there is a clear difference between the hen and the rooster
Interestingly, a study conducted on chicken embryos revealed that body weight differences between male and female chicks start while they’re still inside the egg
Thus, there is already a distinction between the weights of hens and roosters before their respective chicks hatch
The average weight of a newly-hatched chick is around 116 to 13 ounces for regular medium-sized chicken breeds
For smaller breeds, a newly-hatched chick can weigh as little as 07 to 09 ounces
And for larger chicken breeds, expect weights of around 148 to 179 ounces
What Are the Heaviest Chicken Breeds?
Jersey Giant Chicken
When it comes to the heaviest chicken breeds, the Jersey Giant will always be included on the list
With a maximum recorded live weight of 15 pounds, there’s no doubt that this chicken breed is on the heavier side
A Jersey Giant hen’s average weight is around 10 to 13 pounds, while the rooster can weigh between 13 to 15 pounds
Brahma Chicken
The all-American Brahma chicken is also notable for being a heavy breed and is often compared to the size of the Jersey Giant
Maline Chicken
The Maline hen averages around 9 pounds, while the rooster can weigh up to 11 pounds
Dong Tao Chicken
It is especially characterized by its large and wide feet – which is unique among chickens
Cornish Cross Chicken
The Cornish Cross is a hybrid breed between the Cornish Cross and the White Rock chickens
It was particularly developed to produce chickens with broad breasts and big thighs, making them heavier than the average chicken
What Are the Lightest Chicken Breeds in the World?
Serama Bantam Chicken
The Serama Bantam breed from Malaysia is recognized as the smallest chicken in the world, and it follows that it’s also one of the lightest
On average, a hen weighs only around 055 pounds, while the rooster weighs between 06 to 1 pound
Belgian Bantam Chicken
The Belgian Bantam is a true bantam breed, which weighs no more than 3 pounds
On average, the Belgian Bantam hen only weighs around 121 pounds, while the rooster weighs around 143 pounds
Silkie Chicken
The silkie is a unique chicken breed
Bantam refers to a group of small fowl, which includes chickens and ducks
Medium-Sized Chicken Breeds
Barred Rock Chicken
Otherwise known as the Plymouth Rock, the Barred Rock chicken is among the medium-sized chicken breeds
On average, the Barred Rock chickens weigh between 7 to 8 pounds
Cochin Chicken
Cochins are among the most eye-catching chicken breeds out there
This medium-sized chicken has a rounded body with thick plumage covering its body and legs
Both the Cochin hen and rooster weigh around 7 to 10 pounds
Leghorn Chicken
Another medium-sized chicken breed is the leghorn
Rhode Island Red Chicken
The Rhode Island Red is another popular medium-sized chicken breed
It is a mixed breed developed from the Malay chicken breed and the Leghorn
On average, a Rhode Island Red hen weighs around 6 pounds while the male weighs around 8 pounds
Australorp Chicken
The Australorp is another medium-sized breed that is known for producing more than 300 eggs per year
Orpington Chicken
Another medium-sized chicken breed is the Orpington
The Orpington hen weighs around 5 pounds, while the rooster weighs between 7 to 10 pounds
On average, a chicken breast weighs around 6 ounces
However, there are recorded instances of smaller chicken breasts weighing 4 ounces, while some larger cuts can weigh up to 10 ounces
How Much Do Boneless Chicken Thighs Weigh?
A boneless chicken thigh weighs around 293 to 3 ounces
With the skin and bones still intact, a chicken thigh would weigh around 441 ounces
The whole chicken leg, also known as the drumstick, weighs an average of 4 ounces
The meat part of the drumstick weighs around 15 ounces, while the remaining 25 ounces represent the bone and skin collectively
How Much Does Half a Chicken Weigh?
On average, half a chicken weighs around 1 to 15 pounds
To conclude, chickens come in different shapes and sizes, so their weight also varies
But, a whole regular chicken has an average weight of 57 to 6 pounds
For a dressed chicken, this weight drops by around 25 percent since it loses its plumage and some body parts
It’s also worth noting that there’s a difference between the weights of hens and roosters of different breeds
Sex Differences in Body Weight of Chicken Embryos
Chicken Breed Chart to Help Choose Your Chicken
Chicken Breast Weights and Calories
I weighed individual raw chicken breasts with the skin on and off to find average weights and the results were as follows:
The average weight of one skinless and boneless chicken breast is around 180-200g/635-705oz
The average weight of one boneless chicken breast with the skin on is around 210-230g/74-81oz
A chicken breast of this size contains 299-327 calories (in kcal)
A chicken breast of this size contains 299-327 calories (in kcal)
Chicken breast weights vary depending on the size of the chicken they came from, a smaller skinless breast weighs around 140-150g/494-529oz and a large skinless chicken breast can weigh anywhere up to 250g/882oz
Use the table to find more conversion weights of one whole raw chicken breast which is either skin-on or skinless:
Weight TypeWeight of one average chicken breast(skinless)Weight of one average chicken breast(skin-on)Grams180-200g210-230gKilograms018-02kg021-023kgOunces635-705oz74-81ozPounds04-044lb046-05lb
How Much Does Chicken Breast Skin Weigh?
When you buy chicken breasts they’re either sold with the skin on or skinless, If you need to know how much the skin on a chicken breast weighs, then here’s the information:
Chicken Breast Weights, Calories & Servings (In Charts)
Chicken Breast Weights, Calories & Servings (In Charts)
Chicken Leg Weights and Calories
I weighed individual chicken legs (with the skin and bone) to get an average weight per raw leg and here are the results:
The average weight of one chicken leg with the skin on and the bone in is around 200g/705oz
A chicken leg of this size contains 448 calories (in kcal)
Chicken leg weights vary depending on the size of the chicken they came from, a smaller raw chicken leg (with the skin on and bone-in) weighs around 150g/529oz and a large leg weighs around 250g/88oz
Use the table to find more conversion weights of one raw chicken leg which is either skin-on/bone-in or skinless and boneless:
Weight TypeWeight of one average chicken thigh (skin-on/bone-in)Grams200gKilograms02kgOunces705ozPounds044lb
Chicken Leg Weight and Calorie Chart
Use the chart below to find more chicken leg serving weights and calories, these figures are based on an average raw chicken leg weighing 200g/705oz (including the skin and bone)
It’s worth noting that calorie information does vary for chicken depending on where you look, to keep things simple I’ve gone with an average of 224 per gram which I’ve taken from mainstream supermarket pack information
Chicken leg Serving Size(including the skin & bone)Average Weight(in metric & imperial)Calories (in kcal)1 leg200g/705oz4482 legs400g/141oz8963 legs600g/132lb13444 legs800g/176lb17925 legs1kg/22lb2240
For much more information on chicken leg, weights, calories, and servings, including before and after cooking weights, take a look at the full article via the link below:
Chicken Leg Weights, Calories & Servings (In Charts)
Chicken Leg Weights, Calories & Servings (In Charts)
Chicken Drumstick Weights and Calories
How Much Does a Chicken Drumstick Weigh?
I weighed individual chicken leg drumsticks to get an average weight per raw drumstick and here are the results:
The average weight of one chicken drumstick with the skin on is around 120g/423oz
A chicken drumstick of this size contains 167 calories (in kcal)
Chicken drumstick weights vary depending on the size of the chicken they came from, a smaller raw drumstick (with the skin on) weighs around 90g/317oz and a large drumstick can weigh anywhere up to 150g/529oz
Use the table to find more conversion weights of one raw chicken drumstick with the skin on
Weight TypeWeight of one average chicken drumstick (skin-on)Grams120gKilograms012kgOunces423ozPounds026lb
Chicken Drumstick Weight and Calorie Chart
Use the chart below to find more chicken leg/drumstick serving weights and calories, these figures are based on an average raw chicken drumstick (skin on) weighing 120g/423oz and containing 139kcal per gram (as per pack information)
Chicken Leg Serving SizeAverage Weight (in metric and imperial)Calories (in kcal)1 drumstick120g/423oz1672 drumsticks240g/847oz3343 drumsticks360g/127oz5004 drumsticks480g/101lb6675 drumsticks600g/132lb8346 drumsticks720g/159lb10017 drumsticks840g/185lb11688 drumsticks960g/212lb13349 drumsticks108kg/24lb150110 drumsticks12kg/265lb1668
For much more information on chicken drumstick, weights, calories, and servings, take a look at the full article via the link below:
Chicken Drumstick Weights, Calories & Servings (In Charts)
Chicken Thigh Weights and Calories
How Much Does a Chicken Thigh Weigh?
I weighed individual chicken thighs to get an average weight per raw thigh and here are the results:
The average weight of one chicken thigh with the skin on (with the bone) is around 125g/44oz
The average weight of one raw skinless and boneless chicken thigh is around 83g/29oz
A chicken thigh of this size contains 114 calories (in kcal)
A chicken thigh of this size contains 114 calories (in kcal)
Chicken thigh weights vary depending on the size of the chicken they came from, a smaller raw thigh (with the skin on and bone-in) weighs around 90g/317oz and a large thigh can weigh anywhere up to 200g/71oz
Use the table to find more conversion weights of one raw chicken thigh which is either skin-on/bone-in or skinless and boneless:
Weight TypeWeight of one average chicken thigh (skinless & boneless)Weight of one average chicken thigh (skin-on/bone-in)Grams83g125gKilograms008kg0125kgOunces293oz441ozPounds018lb028lb
Chicken Thigh Weight and Calorie Chart
Use the chart below to find more chicken thigh serving weights and calories, these figures are based on an average chicken thigh weighing 83g/293oz (skinless and boneless) or 125g/441oz (skin on and bone-in) along with calories in kcal as per pack information
Chicken Thigh Serving Size(Skinless & boneless)Average Weight(in metric and imperial)Calories (in kcal)1 thigh83g/293oz842 thighs166g/586oz2273 thighs249g/878oz3414 thighs332g/1171oz4555 thighs415g/1464oz569
Chicken Thigh Serving Size(Skin on and bone-in)Average Weight(in metric and imperial)Calories (in kcal)1 thigh125g/441oz2952 thighs250g/882oz5903 thighs375g/1323oz8854 thighs500g/11lb11805 thighs625g/138lb1475
For much more information on chicken breast, weights, calories, and servings, take a look at the full article via the link below:
For much more information on chicken breast, weights, calories, and servings, take a look at the full article via the link below:
Chicken Thigh Weights, Calories & Servings (In Charts)
How Much Does a Chicken Wing Weigh?
I weighed individual chicken wings (including the skin and bone) to get an average weight per raw wing and here are the results:
The average weight of one chicken wing with the skin on and the bone in is around 90g/317oz
A chicken wing of this size contains 188 calories (in kcal)
Chicken wing weights vary depending on the size of the chicken they came from, a small raw chicken wing (with the skin on and bone-in) weighs around 50g/176oz and a large wing weighs up to around 120g/423oz
Use the table to find more conversion weights of one average raw chicken wing (including the skin and bone)
Weight TypeWeight of one average chicken Wing (skin-on/bone-in)Grams90gKilograms009kgOunces317ozPounds02lb
Chicken Wing Weight and Calorie Chart
Use the chart below to find more chicken wing serving weights and calories, these figures are based on an average raw chicken wing weighing 90g/317oz (including the skin and bone)
Chicken wing Serving SizeAverage Weight(in metric & imperial)Calories (in kcal)1 wing90g/317oz1882 wings180g/635oz3763 wings270g/952oz5644 wings360g/127oz7525 wings450g/1587oz9406 wings540g/12lb11297 wings630g/139lb13178 wings720g/159oz15059 wings810g/179oz169310 wings900g/198oz1881
For much more information on chicken wing, weights, calories, and servings, take a look at the full article via the link below:
Chicken Wing Weights, Calories & Servings (In Charts)
Chicken Wing Weights, Calories & Servings (In Charts)
Chicken Mini Fillet Weights and Calories
How Much Does a Chicken Mini Fillet Weigh?
I weighed individual raw chicken thighs to get an average weight and below are the results:
The average weight of one raw chicken mini fillet is around 45g/159oz
A fillet of this weight contains 47 calories (in kcal)
Use the table to find more conversion weights of one raw chicken mini fillet:
Chicken Mini Fillet Weight and Calorie Chart
Use the chart below to find more chicken mini fillet serving weights and calories, these figures are based on an average raw chicken mini fillet weighing 45g (159oz) and containing 105kcal per gram (as per pack information)
Chicken Mini Fillet Serving SizeAverage WeightCalories (in kcal)1 mini fillet45g/159oz472 mini fillets90g/317oz953 mini fillets135g/476oz1424 mini fillets 180g/635oz1895 mini fillets225g/79oz2366 mini fillets270g/952oz2847 mini fillets315g/1111oz3318 mini fillets360g/127oz3789 mini fillets405g/1429oz42510 mini fillets450g/1587oz473
For much more information on chicken mini fillet, weights, calories, and servings, take a look at the full article via the link below:
Chicken Mini Fillet Weights, Calories & Servings (With Calculator & Charts)
Whole Chicken Weights and Calories
Whole Chicken Size Guide
The whole chickens you buy from stores, supermarkets, and butchers range in size from the smallest at around 1kg to the largest at around 25kg
To keep things simple, I’ve categorized whole chickens into sizes from small to extra-large, along with weight conversions in metric and imperial
Whole Chicken SizeWeight in kg & lb’sNumber of servings (people)Small1-13kg / 22-287lb2-3Medium13-17kg / 287-375lb4-5Large17-2kg / 375-44lb5-6Extra Large2kg plus / 44lb plus6-8
For more information on whole chicken weights, sizes, and servings, along with how much meat yield you can expect from a chicken, take a look at the full article below:
Whole Chicken Weights, Sizes & Servings (In Charts)
The amount that chicken reduces in weight when it’s cooked, depends on the quality of the chicken and whether it has added water
The amount that chicken reduces in weight when it’s cooked, depends on the quality of the chicken and whether it has added water
Chicken with bones and skin also retains more water than skinless and boneless chicken which will dry out more during the cooking process
I did an experiment using a supermarket brand chicken breast weighing 200g and cooked it dry in an oven until cooked through, to see how much it reduced in weight
As you can see from the image below, the chicken breast reduced in weight from 200g to 123g, which is a reduction of 385%
How Much Chicken is in a Serving?
If you’re meal planning and you need to know how much chicken you need per person, then the chart below will give you an idea of what you need to buy, for various cuts of chicken meat
Type of chicken meatServing size per personWhole roasted chicken100-120g/35-42oz(cooked meat)Chicken breast1/2 – 1 whole chicken breast(depending on size)Chicken mini fillets4-5 mini fillets (cooked)Chicken drumsticks2 drumsticksChicken thighs2-3 (skinless & boneless)1-2 (skin on)
More Chicken Meat Weight FAQs
How can I measure 100g of chicken meat without a scale?
Chicken reduces in size by at least 25% during cooking, so 100g of raw chicken will weigh around 75g once it’s cooked
Make the best oven roasted whole chicken when you learn my simple tips and tricks for bold flavor, juicy meat, and crispy, golden skin!
It’s relatively hands off, it feeds my family of four with leftovers for lunch the next day, and I use the bones to make homemade chicken stock
This is my fool-proof recipe for whole roasted chicken with a beautiful crispy skin, juicy tender meat and loads of flavor
Not only is a roast chicken super impressive when placed on a dinner table, but it’s also the perfect recipe for every occasion
Today, to make preparing a roasted whole chicken super approachable, I’m sharing all my best tips and tricks!
You’ll learn what you need, how to roast a whole chicken, the importance of salt, and so much more
By the end, you’ll be a juicy chicken making pro!
Table of ContentsWhat You Need to Make a Whole Roasted Chicken How to Roast A Whole ChickenWhy You Should Air Dry Chicken Understanding SaltHow to Truss a ChickenHow Long to Roast A Whole Chicken What to Serve with Whole Roasted ChickenMore Roasted Chicken Recipes Private Reserve Extra Virgin Olive OilEasy Oven Roasted Whole Chicken RecipeWhat You Need to Make a Whole Roasted Chicken
The secret to creating roasted chicken that isn’t boring and dry is to use plenty of seasoning
Garlic: This roasted whole chicken recipe calls for 2 whole garlic cloves, but feel free to use more if your chicken is extra large
Lemon: Both lemon juice and lemon zest are used to tenderize the chicken and add bright flavor
Extra virgin olive oil: Lathering your chicken with olive oil will not only help the spices stick but also locks in moisture, making it extra juicy
Chicken: You want a bone in skin on whole chicken that’s about 3 to 4 pounds
Onion: White or yellow onions work well to infuse extra flavor into the roasted whole chicken
How to Roast A Whole Chicken
One bite of this roasted whole chicken, and you’ll be wondering where the recipe has been all your life!
Dry the chicken
Use paper towels to pat the chicken dry inside and out, removing as much moisture as you possibly can
Don’t be afraid to get up close and personal with the chicken!
Season the chicken
Then rub it on the flesh, skin, and inside the cavity of the chicken
Then, stuff the chicken with the rest of the lemon and the quartered onion
Truss the chicken by tucking the wings under the bird
Then, wrap twine under and around the chicken, crossing it over the breast like an X and tying the legs together
If you’re short on time, skipping this step isn’t the end of the world, but it does help the roasted whole chicken cook more evenly!
Store the chicken, uncovered, in the fridge for 24 hoursThis removes additional moisture from the skin making it extra crispy, while giving the salt a chance to impact the protein in the flesh leaving the chicken meat succulent
However, if it’s Tuesday night and you forget about dry brining your chicken, you can skip this step
Just coat the chicken flesh and skin with the rub, and pop it in the oven instead
It will still taste delicousRevive the chicken
Your chicken will look a little emaciated the next day when you remove it from the fridge, but stick with me here
Simply rub it with more olive oil, salt, and Italian seasoning, and it will liven right up!
Transfer the whole chicken to a cast iron skillet, and let it roast in the oven until an instant-read thermometer reads 165°F when inserted into the thickest part of the breast
Once fully cooked, allow the chicken to rest for 5-10 minutes, and dig in!
Why You Should Air Dry Chicken
Why You Should Air Dry Chicken
Drying your chicken is the most effective way not only to allow the seasonings to penetrate the meat but also to achieve golden, crispy skin
Every chef swears by their own technique, but after many many test runs, we found that first patting the chicken dry and then letting it sit in the fridge overnight is a failproof way to get the skin extra crispy and golden brown
An extra step you can take to impart more flavor and create a crispy, golden exterior is to baste the chicken
We don’t do it with this roasted whole chicken recipe, because is tastes incredible without it
However, if you’ve got the time and are feeling ambitious, all you have to do is baste the chicken with the fat that naturally drips off the bird every 20 minutes or so as it cooks
Either way, as long as you let it air dry, your roast whole chicken will taste great!
It’s important to take note of the brand and size of salt you are using in order to properly season your oven roasted whole chicken
Do not use table salt or powder salt as they are very fine and will make the roasted whole chicken way too salty
How to Truss a Chicken
How to Truss a Chicken
Let’s talk about trussing a whole chicken
Tying the chicken snuggly helps make it more compact, allowing it to cook more evenly
Cut about 2 feet of twine or enough to fully wrap around and tie the chicken
Position the chicken breast side up with the legs facing toward you
Then, place the center point of the twine directly beneath the wings of the chicken leaving both ends sticking out
Tuck the wings under the chickenLift either end of the twine, and cross it over the breast like an X
Tie the twine tightly at the neck of the chicken, trimming off any excess, and it will be secure and ready to air dry
How Long to Roast A Whole Chicken
The amount of time needed to roast a whole chicken depends on its weight
However, on average, you can count on needing roughly 20 minutes of cooking time per pound
What to Serve with Whole Roasted Chicken
What to Serve with Whole Roasted Chicken
What to Serve with Whole Roasted Chicken
One of the best things about roasting a whole chicken in the oven is that it can be paired with literally everything!
More Roasted Chicken Recipes
Easy Oven Roasted Whole Chicken
This easy roasted whole chicken is a versatile and impressive dish that’s perfect for any special occasion or even just a weeknight dinner
Check out all of our tips and tricks for a chicken that is crispy on the outside and perfectly juicy on the inside
Transfer to a small bowl and stir in 1 tablespoon lemon juice (from 1 quarter of lemon), lemon zest, olive oil, Italian seasoning, and black pepperDry and season the chicken: Use paper towels to pat the chicken dry inside and out with paper towels
Place the chicken on a large plate and loosen the skin from the breast meat and the legs
Place the chicken on a large plate and loosen the skin from the breast meat and the legs
Rub ⅓ of the Italian seasoning rub on the flesh, ⅓ on the skin, and ⅓ inside the cavity of the chicken
It’s not the end of the world, but it does help the chicken cook more evenlyAir dry the chicken: Place the chicken, uncovered in the refrigerator for 24 hours
It gives the salt in the rub time to penetrate the meat which makes the chicken juicy and not dry
It also drys the skin of chicken making it extra crispy and golden
Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 375°FSeason (again) and bake: Remove the chicken from the fridge it will look emaciated and you will think you did something wrong
Rub the chicken with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, then sprinkle on ½ teaspoon of kosher salt and ½ teaspoon of Italian seasoningRoast the chicken: Transfer chicken to a cast iron skillet (or oven safe dish) and place in the oven for 1 hour and 20 minutes or until an instant read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the breast reads 165°F
Spices: I used our homemade Italian seasoning recipe for this chicken, but if you can also use a combination of spices like rosemary, oregano and thyme
I also love Herbs de Provence on chicken so if you have that in your cupboard feel free to swap it
Air drying: When air drying the chicken leave it uncovered in the fridge
Just make this chicken on a baking sheet
I like to place a cooling rack on top of a baking sheet, then place the chicken on that for better air circulation