If you’ve ever been intimidated by the idea of making baked chicken at home, fear not! This recipe is here to change your mind. Despite its gourmet appeal, roasting a chicken is easier than it seems. With just a few basic ingredients and a few simple steps, you can have a beautifully juicy, golden, baked chicken that will impress everyone at the table.
Delight your taste buds and impress your guests with this mouthwatering oven-baked chicken recipe! Bursting with flavors from aromatic herbs, zesty fruits, and warm spices, this dish is a true culinary masterpiece that elevates the humble chicken to gourmet status. Follow our simple step-by-step instructions, and you'll soon be savoring tender, juicy chicken with crispy skin that's guaranteed to steal the show at any mealtime gathering.
What is a Baked Chicken?
Whether it’s a casual family dinner or a special gathering with friends, baked chicken is a classic dish that’s perfect for any occasion. It’s versatile enough to pair with an array of sides, from mashed potatoes to roast vegetables or fresh green salad.
As you follow along with this recipe, you’ll learn the basics of how to bake a chicken to perfection. Each step is carefully explained to ensure your success in the kitchen, from seasoning the bird inside and out to achieving crispy skin and juicy meat. So get started – you’ll be amazed at how easy and rewarding it is to make your own baked chicken at home!
What Do You Need To Make Oven Baked Chicken?
- Chicken: The star of the dish, they provide a tender and juicy meat.
- Small potatoes: Complement the chicken and add texture and heartiness to the dish.
- Apple and orange: These fruits enhance the flavor profile by adding natural sweetness and tang to the dish.
- Anise and Cinnamon: These spices add warmth and depth of taste, adding aromatic notes to the dish.
- Soy Sauce: Adds umami flavor and depth to marinade.
- Smoked Paprika: Adds a smoky and slightly spicy flavor that enhances the overall flavor of the chicken.
- Dry Garlic: Complements the other ingredients with a pungent and aromatic flavor.
- Coriander, Thyme, and Rosemary: These herbs add freshness and herbaceous notes to the dish, enhancing the overall aroma and flavor.
- Dill, parsley, and mint: These herbs add brightness and freshness to balance the rich flavors.
- Maple Syrup: Sweeten and caramelize the chicken, creating a delicious glaze.
- Olive oil and butter: These fats help coat the chicken and potatoes, ensuring they cook evenly and develop a crispy exterior.
- Green peas: These add color and texture to the dish and complement the other ingredients.
- Worcester Sauce: Adds depth of taste and a tangy kick to the marinade.
Step-By-Step Oven Baked Chicken Recipe
- First, place potatoes in salted water and cook them until half-cooked. Remove potatoes using a slotted spoon. Season with salt, pepper, olive oil, thyme and rosemary.
- Then, peel, core, and dice the apples. Zest the orange, peel the skin, and cut a clean fillet.
- Next, salt and pepper the chicken from the inside, and stuff it with the fruit, zest, anise, cinnamon, and soy sauce. Sew up the back with a skewer.
- To marinate the chicken: Sprinkle with smoked paprika, dry garlic, coriander, thyme, Worcestershire, rosemary, maple syrup, and olive oil. Marinate for 30 minutes.
- Then, chop the dill, parsley, and mint. Mix half of the herbs with the potatoes and place in a baking dish. Add butter to the bottom and then place the chicken on top.
- Bake in the oven at 356 degrees F (180 degrees C) for 30 minutes.
- When cooked, put the chicken on a board and disassemble it into parts.
- Halve the potatoes and mix with the sauce from the bottom of the baking dish, add the rest of the herbs and the green peas.
- Place the potatoes and sauce on a plate. Then, place the chicken on top. You can also add apples. Enjoy!
Chef Recipe Tips:
- Apples can be substituted with other fruits (kiwi, pear, pineapple).
- If you use a chicken that weighs 42-53 ounces (1.2-1.5 kg), the cooking time will increase to 50 minutes.
- Always take the chicken out of the oven and let it stand for 10-15 minutes to distribute the juices and make it even juicier.
How to Store a Baked Chicken?
Follow these steps to properly store baked chicken:
- Allow the baked chicken to cool to room temperature.
- To keep the baked chicken from drying out and to preserve its moisture, wrap it tightly in aluminum foil or plastic wrap.
- Place the wrapped chicken in an airtight container or in a resealable plastic bag to keep the chicken fresh.
- Refrigerate immediately, preferably within 2 hours of cooking.
How Can You Freeze the Baked Chicken?
For best quality, use the stored baked chicken within 3-4 days of refrigeration. For longer storage, you can freeze it for up to 2-3 months. Just be sure to thaw it out in the refrigerator before you heat it up again.
What To Do With the Leftovers?
There are several delicious ways to use leftover baked chicken:
- Chicken salad: Make a tasty chicken salad by shredding or chopping leftover chicken and tossing it with mayonnaise, diced celery, onions, and your favorite seasonings. Serve as a sandwich, wrap, or over a bed of lettuce for a light meal.
- Chicken Pasta: For a quick and satisfying meal, add shredded chicken to pasta dishes like chicken Alfredo, chicken carbonara, or chicken primavera.
- Chicken Fried Rice: Stir-fried chicken with boiled rice, mixed vegetables, and soy sauce. For extra protein and flavor, add scrambled eggs.
- Chicken Pizza: Use your leftover chicken as a topping for a homemade or store-bought pizza. For a tasty twist on traditional pizza, combine it with your favorite sauce, cheese, and other toppings.
Place potatoes in salted water. Cook until half-cooked. Remove using a slotted spoon. Season with salt, pepper, olive oil, thyme and rosemary.
Peel, core, and dice the apples. Zest the orange, peel the skin, and cut out a clean fillet.
Salt and pepper the chicken from the inside, and stuff it with the fruit, zest, anise, cinnamon, and soy sauce. Sew up the back with a skewer.
Marinate the chicken: Sprinkle with smoked paprika, dry garlic, coriander, thyme, Worcestershire, rosemary, maple syrup, and olive oil. Marinate for 30 minutes.
Chop the dill, parsley, and mint. Mix half of the herbs with the potatoes and place in a baking dish. Add butter to the bottom. Place the chicken on top.
Bake in the oven at 356 degrees F (180 degrees C) for 30 minutes.
When cooked, put the chicken on a board and disassemble it into parts.
Cut the potatoes in half and mix them with the sauce from the bottom of the baking dish, add the rest of the herbs and the green peas.
Place the potatoes and sauce on a plate. Place the chicken on top. You can also add apples.
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.
(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.
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To ensure your baked chicken turns out perfectly every time, don't forget to let it rest after removing it from the oven. Allowing the chicken to rest for 10-15 minutes before carving helps redistribute the juices, resulting in a moist and flavorful bird. Additionally, when marinating the chicken, aim for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to penetrate the meat fully. For even more intense flavor, marinate overnight in the refrigerator. And remember, don't discard the leftover bones and carcass! They can be used to make a delicious homemade chicken broth for soups or sauces, maximizing flavor and minimizing waste.
