My favorite way to cook a whole chicken is in a dutch oven. The dutch oven captures all of the juices and bastes the chicken so it stays nice and juicy. Flavors of lemon and thyme really drive home that classic roast chicken flavor.
It doesn't get any more classic than roast chicken. This Dutch Oven Chicken is so succulent, juicy, and flavorful, you will be oohing and aahing at every bite. I'm not kidding. Plus, it is so easy the prep only takes minutes.
Butter, salt, onion, lemon, thyme, garlic powder, and chicken. That's all you need for this AMAZING roast chicken recipe. Notice I put butter first...because without it this chicken would just be - meh. Do you know how much I love butter?
HOW TO MAKE A WHOLE CHICKEN IN A DUTCH OVEN
The reason a dutch oven is the perfect vessel for a roast chicken is because it keeps in all of the juices so there is no need to baste. I love my Staub dutch oven, but any old dutch oven you have that will hold the chicken will be perfect.
For some added flavor, I like to rest my whole chicken on thick slices of onion. This helps keep the chicken up out of the juices. You could use any vegetables you like such as potatoes, carrots, parsnips, and turnips. Just make sure they are all the same size...about 1 inch dice.
Rinse the chicken and remove the giblets. Pat dry with paper towels.
I like to mix my butter with all of the seasonings and use a basting brush (or my hands) to rub the mixture all over the chicken.
Squeeze the lemon slices and place them inside the cavity of the chicken.
Place the whole chicken, breast side down, into the dutch oven on top of the slices of onion.
Cover with the lid and cook in a 400F oven for about 1 hour 30 minutes. I pull mine when an internal meat thermometer reads 150F in the thickest part of the breast. I then remove the lid and place the chicken under the broiler for about 5 minutes to give the chicken some color. Make sure the internal temp reaches 165F before serving.
Into chicken recipes? Be sure to check out my Crispy chicken Thighs, Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole, Air Fryer Chicken Tenders, Creamy Lemon Chicken Thighs, and Keto Chicken Salad.
Recipe Card
The Easiest Dutch Oven Chicken (No Basting!)
Ingredients
- 1 3 ½ - 4 lb Whole Chicken
- ¼ cup Melted Butter
- 1 tablespoon Kosher salt
- 2 teaspoon Garlic Powder
- 1 tablespoon Dried Thyme
- 1 ½ Onion , cut into thick slices
- 1 Lemon , quartered
Method
- Pre-heat oven to 400
- Remove giblets and rinse chicken
- Pat the chicken dry with paper towels
- combine butter, salt, garlic powder, and thyme and rub over entire bird
- squeeze lemons quarters and place inside cavity.
- Place onion slices in a dutch oven large enough for the chicken. Place chicken on top of onion, breast side down and cover with the lid
- Roast the chicken for 1 hour or until a meat thermometer reads 150F in the thickest part of the breast.
- remove lid and flip over to breast side up.
- Place under the broiler to let the skin crisp up...about 5 minutes.
- Make sure the chicken is 165F in the thickest part of the breast before serving.
Notes
- You could use any vegetables you like such as potatoes, carrots, parsnips, and turnips. Just make sure they are all the same size...about 1 inch dice.
Kally says
I really liked the ease of preparation and the balance of flavors that the chicken had, and the roasted veggies turned out great- can’t wait to try more of your recipes!
Kelly Bauman says
After you've squeezed the lemon, do you dispose of the juice or incorporate it into the recipe?
jenniferbanz says
You put it all inside the cavity
Kelly Bauman says
Thank you! So the lemon pieces and juice goes inside the cavity?
Jeff says
Would you put the potatoes and veggies in the dutch oven with the chicken?
jenniferbanz says
I would! They will get cooked in the chicken juices and be so flavorful!
Jane Saunders says
Such an easy recipe to prepare. I love this kind of thing in summer when I can pair it with simple salads and potatoes.
Jessy Freimann says
This was super easy and absolutely delicious!
Kaitlynn says
I love lemon with anything!! This chicken recipe looks like an amazing dinner. Thanks so much for sharing!
Low Carb with Jennifer says
Thank you Kaitlynn!