The Perfect Roasted Chicken
Back to the Basics—Where Flavor Begins
At Perfetto Pastures, we believe the best meals start with a few honest ingredients and a little bit of care. And when it comes to comfort food, nothing beats a perfectly roasted chicken. Golden and crisp on the outside, juicy and tender on the inside, it’s a recipe that doesn’t need much fuss—just quality ingredients and the right technique.
This dish is made to be enjoyed at home with family. While we don’t serve prepared food, we do raise pasture-raised chicken and share time-tested recipes like this one to help you get the most out of every cut.
Whether you’re roasting for Sunday dinner, meal prepping for the week, or setting the table for a holiday, this is a recipe you'll return to again and again.
Why Our Roasted Chicken Recipe Stands Out
Pasture-raised poultry – Juicier meat with richer flavor, raised with care on our land.
Crispy skin, juicy interior – The right seasoning and oven technique make all the difference.
No fancy ingredients – Just lemon, garlic, herbs, salt, pepper, and a little fat.
Built for the home cook – You don’t need restaurant tools to make a roast this good.
Ingredient Spotlight
Whole Chicken
We recommend a 3½–4½ lb pasture-raised bird for ideal flavor and texture. We raise ours naturally, with no antibiotics or hormones, and plenty of room to roam.
Lemon, Garlic & Fresh Herbs
Tucked inside the cavity, these aromatics infuse the bird from the inside out.
Olive Oil or Butter
Rubbing the skin ensures that golden, crisp finish every roast chicken deserves.
Sea Salt & Cracked Pepper
Classic seasoning that brings out the natural goodness of the bird.
Perfect Roasted Chicken Recipe
Simple, juicy, and golden every time
Ingredients (Serves 4–6)
1 whole chicken (3½–4½ lbs), pasture-raised
2 tablespoons olive oil or softened butter
1 tablespoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 lemon, halved
1 head of garlic, halved crosswise
A handful of fresh herbs (rosemary, thyme, or parsley)
Optional: carrots, onions, and potatoes for pan-roasting
Instructions
Preheat the Oven
Set oven to 425°F (220°C). Pat the chicken dry with paper towels for crispier skin. Remove any giblets.Season & Stuff
Sprinkle the cavity with salt and pepper. Stuff it with lemon halves, garlic, and herbs.Coat the Skin
Rub the outside of the chicken with olive oil or butter. Season generously with salt and pepper.Optional Trussing
Tie the legs together with kitchen twine for even cooking.Roast
Place breast-side up in a roasting pan or skillet. Add optional veggies around the bird. Roast for 60–75 minutes, until juices run clear and a thermometer reads 165°F in the thickest part of the thigh.Let It Rest
Rest for 10–15 minutes before carving so the juices redistribute.
Roasting Tips
Air-dry for extra crispy skin: Place the seasoned bird in the fridge, uncovered, for a few hours before roasting.
Don’t rush the rest: Letting the chicken sit after roasting keeps it juicy and tender.
Make it seasonal: Try swapping herbs—sage in fall, tarragon in spring.
Save the bones: Use the carcass to make homemade bone broth or stock.
How to Enjoy It at Home
While we don’t cook or serve food at Perfetto Pastures, we love helping you make meals from scratch using what we raise. Here are some serving ideas using your finished roast:
With roasted carrots, potatoes, and onions
Over buttery mashed potatoes or herbed polenta
Shredded into grain bowls or fresh salads
Turned into chicken salad or broth the next day
From Our Pastures to Your Kitchen
This recipe is more than just dinner—it’s a return to slow, intentional cooking. At Perfetto Pastures, we believe meals like this bring people together and highlight the power of real food, grown with care.
We don’t run a restaurant. We don’t offer catering. What we do offer is high-quality, pasture-raised chicken and the guidance to help you cook it with confidence.
Stay in Touch with the Farm
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