Juicy Michael Symon Roast Chicken Recipe for Family Meals

Michael Symon’s roast chicken emerges as a culinary symphony, turning a humble bird into a flavor-packed sensation.

Every home cook dreams of mastering this mouthwatering dish that speaks volumes about simple, elegant cooking.

Professional and amateur chefs alike adore how effortlessly this recipe transforms ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary meal.

Symon’s technique unlocks deep, rich flavors through strategic seasoning and expert roasting methods.

The chicken arrives at the table with a gloriously crisp, golden-brown skin that promises pure deliciousness beneath.

Each tender morsel whispers stories of comfort and classic American cuisine, inviting diners to savor every single bite.

The magic lies in its beautiful simplicity, creating a dinner experience that feels both intimate and luxurious.

Elevate your cooking game with this irresistible roast chicken that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

Calories: 560 kcal

Servings: 4

Michael Symon’s Roast Chicken Ingredient List

• Whole Chicken: Choose a fresh, plump bird with smooth, unblemished skin for the best roasting results.

• Butter, Unsalted: Select high-quality, creamy butter for rich, golden-brown skin and deep flavor.
• Celery: Pick crisp, bright green stalks that will add subtle aromatic notes to the chicken's cavity.

• Instant-Read Thermometer: Essential for checking precise doneness and ensuring food safety.
• Aluminum Foil: Use for tenting the chicken during resting to keep moisture locked in.

Roasting Pan and Basting Tools

• Oven: Used for roasting the chicken at a consistent 350°F temperature.
• Instant-read thermometer: Checks chicken's internal temperature for safe cooking.
• Basting brush: Helps coat chicken with its own juices during resting period.
• Sharp knife: Needed for cutting celery into equal pieces.
• Aluminum foil: Used to loosely cover chicken while resting.
• Cutting board: Provides surface for preparing celery.
• Measuring tools: Essential for accurate butter and temperature measurements.

Cooking Roast Chicken à la Michael Symon

Roast a Perfect Whole Chicken

• Prep the Oven and Bird

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Gently massage softened butter all over the chicken’s exterior, creating a golden-brown promise of deliciousness. Tuck small pieces of celery inside the chicken’s cavity to infuse subtle flavor during roasting.

• Roast with Care

Place the chicken in the oven and let it cook uncovered for about 75 minutes. The kitchen will fill with mouthwatering aromas as the skin turns crispy and golden. Check doneness by ensuring the meat is no longer pink and juices run clear when pierced.

• Confirm Temperature and Rest

Use a meat thermometer to verify the internal temperature reaches 165°F in the thickest part of the thigh. Once cooked, remove the chicken and let it rest under a loose foil tent for 30 minutes. This allows juices to redistribute, guaranteeing each bite is tender and succulent. Baste the chicken with its own rich cooking juices just before serving to lock in maximum flavor.

Tips for Crispy Skin and Juicy Inside

• Customize Celery Selection: Experiment with different celery varieties like tender heart celery or crisp organic stalks for subtle flavor variations. Fresh, locally sourced celery works best for enhancing the chicken's natural taste.
• Herb Enhancement Technique: Sprinkle fresh rosemary, thyme, or sage inside the cavity alongside celery to elevate the chicken's aromatic profile. Dried herbs can also work wonderfully if fresh herbs aren't available.
• Butter Flavor Boost: Mix softened butter with minced garlic, crushed black pepper, or lemon zest before spreading on the chicken's skin. This simple trick transforms the basic roasting method into a gourmet experience.
• Temperature Flexibility: Adjust cooking time for larger or smaller chickens by calculating approximately 20 minutes per pound. Always use a meat thermometer to ensure food safety and perfect doneness.

How to Serve Roast Chicken Cleanly

• Pair with Crisp Green Salad: Slice the roasted chicken and serve alongside a fresh, crunchy salad with mixed greens, cucumber, and a light vinaigrette to balance the rich, buttery chicken.
• Create a Comforting Dinner Plate: Add roasted seasonal vegetables like carrots, potatoes, or Brussels sprouts around the chicken to create a complete, hearty meal that showcases the herb-infused roasted meat.
• Elevate with Rustic Bread: Serve warm, crusty bread on the side to soak up the delicious cooking juices and butter, turning this simple roasted chicken into a satisfying and rustic dining experience.
• Make Leftovers Exciting: Shred remaining chicken for sandwiches, salads, or quick tacos, ensuring no delicious morsel goes to waste and providing easy meal options for the next day.

Keeping It Moist in the Fridge

• Preserve Freshness: Store leftover roasted chicken in airtight containers within 2 hours of cooking, keeping it refrigerated for up to 3-4 days.
• Freeze Smart: Slice or shred chicken and place in freezer-safe bags, removing excess air to prevent freezer burn. Frozen chicken maintains quality for 2-3 months.
• Reheat Safely: Warm refrigerated chicken in the oven at 350°F, covering with foil to retain moisture. Ensure internal temperature reaches 165°F before serving to guarantee food safety.
• Meal Prep Magic: Transform leftover roasted chicken into salads, sandwiches, or quick weeknight casseroles, stretching your delicious meal across multiple dishes and saving time in the kitchen.

Juicy Michael Symon Roast Chicken Recipe

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4.9 from 35 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Michael Symon’s roast chicken emerges as a culinary masterpiece that combines simple ingredients with expert technique. Crispy skin and juicy meat make this dish a perfect centerpiece for home cooks seeking restaurant-quality flavor.

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Ingredients

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• 1 whole chicken (3 lbs / 1.36 kg), giblets removed
• ½ cup (113 g) butter
• 1 stalk celery, leaves removed
• 1 tbsp onion powder
• Salt to taste
• Black pepper to taste

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) with rack centered, ensuring uniform heat distribution.
2. Butter Infusion: Delicately separate chicken skin from meat, creating a butter pocket; massage softened butter beneath skin across breast and thigh regions, then coat exterior thoroughly.
3. Cavity Filling: Select fresh celery stalks, chop into uniform pieces, and carefully insert into chicken’s interior to promote even cooking and enhance aromatic profile.
4. Roasting Stage: Position chicken breast-side up in roasting pan, uncovered, and roast for approximately 75 minutes, periodically monitoring its progression.
5. Doneness Verification: Use instant-read thermometer to check internal temperature at thickest thigh point near bone, confirming 165°F (74°C) for safe consumption.
6. Resting Protocol: Remove from oven, baste with accumulated cooking juices, loosely tent with foil, and allow 30-minute rest to redistribute internal moisture and guarantee tender, succulent meat.
7. Service: Carve chicken and serve warm, presenting a herb-infused, butter-basted culinary masterpiece.

Notes

• Butter Massage Technique: Softly work butter under the skin to ensure maximum flavor penetration and create a luxurious, crispy exterior.
• Temperature Precision: Always verify internal chicken temperature reaches exactly 165°F to guarantee food safety and prevent dry meat.
• Resting Period Importance: Allow chicken to rest for 30 minutes after cooking, which helps juices redistribute and ensures incredibly tender, succulent meat.
• Equipment Check: Use a reliable instant-read thermometer for accurate temperature measurement and consistent cooking results.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Roasting
• Cuisine: British

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 560
• Sugar: 0 g
• Sodium: 200 mg
• Fat: 44 g
• Saturated Fat: 27 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 17 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 1 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 41 g
• Cholesterol: 140 mg