Best Simple Whole Roasted Chicken Recipes

SIMPLE WHOLE ROASTED CHICKEN

Steps:

• In a bowl, mix the salt, sugar, cloves, allspice, nutmeg, and cinnamon. Rub the chicken with the mixture. Cover chicken, and place in the refrigerator for 24 hours.
• Preheat oven to 500 degrees F (260 degrees C).
• Stuff the chicken cavity with the garlic. Place the chicken, breast side down, on a rack in a roasting pan.
• Roast 15 minutes in the preheated oven. Reduce heat to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C), and continue roasting 15 minutes. Baste chicken with pan drippings, reduce heat to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C), and continue roasting 30 minutes, to an internal temperature of 180 degrees F (85 degrees C). Let stand 20 minutes before serving.

SIMPLE SMOKE-ROASTED WHOLE CHICKEN

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine the herbs, garlic, oil, pepper flakes, salt and pepper, and mix well. Starting at the tip of the breastbone, loosen the skin from the breasts of the chickens, being careful not to tear the skin. Gently rub the herb mixture under the skin. Rub the outside of the chickens with any remaining mixture and sprinkle with additional salt and pepper if desired.
• In a covered grill, build a small fire to one side, making sure that all the wood or charcoal becomes engulfed in flames. When the flames die down, and you are left with flickering coals, place the chickens on the grill over the side without fire. It is important that the chickens do not come in contact with the flames at any time during cooking.
• Cover the grill, vent slightly and cook, checking the fire every 20 minutes or so and adding a bit more fuel as necessary to keep the fire going, for about 2 hours. Check the chickens for doneness by piercing a thigh with a fork. When the juices run clear, the birds are done.