One of the first dishes I learned to roast was a whole chicken. Over the years I refined the method so that family dinners featuring chicken are never dull. This garlic-herb butter roasted chicken transforms a familiar bird into something everyone wants at the table: tender and juicy under crisp, golden skin, scented with fresh herbs, garlic and lemon, and simple enough to prepare in under 20 minutes.
Everything that defines this recipe is in the name: garlic, herbs and butter. There’s one small twist — smoked paprika — that deepens the flavor and helps create a darker, more appetizing roast. Fresh butter keeps the meat moist while lemon, garlic and fragrant herbs build bright, savory layers. The result is equally suited to a dinner party or an easy weeknight meal, and leftovers adapt perfectly to soups, salads, sandwiches and casseroles. The cooked meat also freezes well for up to four months when wrapped and stored in a freezer-safe container.
