13 Whole Chicken Recipes
When it comes to chicken dinners, your go-to recipes likely involve chicken breast or thighs. But what about cooking the whole chicken? If you're new to cooking the whole bird, you might feel a bit overwhelmed by the idea. We're here to tell you that you shouldn't be!
With some practice and an easy-to-follow recipe you can have a moist, flavorful, delicious dinner on your plate in no time, every time!
Get scrolling to discover some of our favorite whole chicken recipes to try at home!
Photo Courtesy of RecipeTin Eats
Garlic-Herb-Lemon Butter Roasted Chicken
We'll start off with a simple take on roasted chicken that simply calls for butter, herbs, dry white wine, onion, and garlic.
The butter is combined with garlic and herbs to create a flavorful marinade of sorts to keep the meat moist and the skin crispy. Onion and garlic are layered onto the pan before the chicken is added and the wine is poured all around.
Throw it in the oven, forget it, and in less than 90 minutes, your chicken will be ready to carve and enjoy.
Photo Courtesy of Half Baked Harvest
Lemon and Oregano Grilled Chicken
This recipe is similar to the previous one in that it features herby, lemony, buttery goodness. But, if you prefer a grilled chicken as opposed to a roasted one, this recipe might be more up your alley.
A whole chicken is marinated with olive oil, balsamic vinegar, oregano, thyme, garlic and red pepper flakes before being grilled for about 10-15 minutes on each side.
Serve your grilled chicken with some summer melon, a side salad, and any other of your favorite summertime.
Photo Courtesy of Smitten Kitchen
Piri Piri Chicken
With roots in both Portugal and South Africa, piri piri chicken is an herby, flavorful, deeply spiced chicken dish that gets its name from the piri piri chilis that give it its distinct flavor.
In this recipe, a whole chicken is broken down into parts before being marinated in a homemade piri piri sauce and tossed on the grill.
Serve your dish with a simple tomato salad and crispy thin-sliced potatoes.
Photo Courtesy of Co+op
Cajun Roasted Chicken
Add some Louisiana flair to your dinner with this roasted chicken recipe from Welcome to the Table.
A homemade cajun-style spice blend of paprika, cayenne, thyme, oregano, and cumin are rubbed all over the chicken before being roasted alongside celery, carrots, onions, and lemon.
Serve your roasted chicken with coleslaw, rice and beans, or some southern-style mac and cheese!
Photo Courtesy of Spend with Pennies
Whole Air Fryer Chicken
If you have an air fryer, you probably use it to cook all sorts of things, and with this recipe, you can add whole chicken to that list!
The whole chicken is rubbed with olive oil and a homemade chicken spiced blend. Next, the chicken is added to the air fryer basket, with the breast side down, before being cooked for 30 minutes on each side.
You'll end up with a perfectly moist chicken with a wonderfully crispy-crunchy skin, without the greasy mess of a traditional deep fryer.
Photo Courtesy of Co+op
Asian Barbecue Chicken
Calling for just 6 ingredients, this Asian-inspired barbecue chicken recipe is a quick and easy dinner with a unique flavor to shake up your weekly dinner routine.
A whole chicken is broken down before being marinated in asian-style barbecue sauce for 1-3 hours and baked for 45 minutes.
Serve your grilled chicken on a bed of shredded cabbage, red pepper, and scallions.
Photo Courtesy of Feasting at Home
Whole Roasted Harissa Chicken
Featuring fragrant North African spices, this whole roasted harissa chicken features herby flavors that are far from bland and boring.
The whole chicken is rubbed with olive oil and toasted spices before being roasted in the oven for around 90 minutes.
Serve your harissa chicken over saffron rice with a drizzle of lemon parsley sauce on top.
Photo Courtesy of Once Upon a Chef
Peruvian-Style Roast Chicken with Green Sauce
With a flavorful Peruvian-style rub and a spicy, savory green sauce, this roast chicken is not your average whole chicken recipe.
Lime juice, olive oil, salt, pepper, sugar, paprika, cumin, and oregano are blended until smooth before being spread over the chicken and left to marinate for at least 6 hours or overnight.
The chicken is then oven-roasted for around 2 hours. Serve your green sauce on the side for dipping!
Find the full recipe at Once Upon a Chef
Even More Whole Chicken Recipes
Five-Spice Spatchcocked Grilled Chicken from Bon Appetit
Hot Sauce Roast Chicken With Tangy Kale Salad from NYT Cooking
Mediterranean-Style Grilled Whole Chicken from The Mediterranean Dish
Instant-Pot Whole Chicken from EatingWell
Beer Can Grilled Chicken from Food Network