27 of the greatest roast chicken recipes for any occasion

From classic Sunday roasts to globally-inspired flavours, these roast chicken recipes deliver crisp skin, juicy meat and flavour to suit every palate.

Here's a handy shortcut to try.

Here's a handy shortcut to try. Credit: China Squirrel

Few dishes earn the kind of devotion a perfectly cooked roast chicken recipe inspires. Whether you’re learning how to roast a whole chicken recipe for the first time, chasing the juiciest rotisserie chicken, or experimenting with spice rubs, brines and marinades, there’s a style to suit every mood. Think Peking-style lacquer, Indian masala warmth, Peruvian chilli heat, or a French truffle glaze worthy of Ina Garten.

If you're wondering how to roast chicken perfectly, how long to roast a chicken, or how to season a roast chicken for maximum flavour, these recipes have you covered. And, if you're lucky enough to have leftovers – try using them in soups, salads and sandwiches.

Adam Liaw's Roast chicken with spiced rice

This Middle Eastern–inspired roast chicken recipe bakes over aromatic basmati rice, so the juices infuse every grain. A one-pan wonder that answers both how to roast a chicken recipe and what to serve it with in one go.

Roast chicken with spiced rice
Credit: Jiwon Kim

Roast chicken and grapes with burrata

In Curtis Stone's twist on the classic, this roast chicken recipe pairs sweet roasted grapes with creamy burrata. Perfect for autumn entertaining, it’s a masterclass in balancing savoury depth with bursts of freshness.

Roast chicken and grapes with burrata
Credit: Curtis Stone's Travel, Cook, Repeat

Adam Liaw's roast chicken with onion and fennel

Caramelised onion, fennel and a punchy salsa verde elevate this roast chicken recipe beyond the Sunday standard. The crisp skin hides juicy flesh cooked to the perfect chicken temperature.

Roast chicken with onion & fennel
Credit: Jiwon Kim

Miso and orange roast chicken

A Japanese-inspired roast chicken recipe where citrus brightness meets miso umami. The sweet–salty marinade works as both brine and glaze, delivering tender meat and lacquered skin with minimal effort.

Miso and orange roast chicken
Credit: Jiwon Kim

Salt and Sichuan pepper roast chicken

Like it punchy? Reinvent the weekly roast chook with Adam Liaw’s spicy Sichuan twist. Season your butterflied chicken with a homemade spice blend, then roast over a bed of mixed vegetables, infusing the vegetables with loads of chicken-y flavour. Serve with a dash of chilli oil for extra heat.

Salt & Sichuan pepper roast chicken
Credit: Jiwon Kim

Marion Grasby's roast chicken with gravy and potatoes

If you want to know how to roast a whole chicken perfectly, this recipe guarantees crisp skin, succulent meat and a silky pan gravy. Served with golden potatoes, it’s comfort food that still earns pride of place at a dinner party.

Roast chicken, five-spice gravy & bacon fat potatoes
Credit: Sippakorn Wongthanapa

Heston Blumenthal’s roast chicken

This recipe involves a low-temperature cook, then a blast of heat for flawless skin. It’s science-meets-Sunday roast – precision cooking for restaurant-quality results at home.

Roast Chicken

Peruvian-style roasted chicken (Pollo a la brasa peruano)

Peru’s famous rotisserie-style bird, infused with garlic, cumin and smoky chilli, is a lesson in how to season a roast chicken. Serve with aji verde for heat and tang in every bite.

Here's a handy shortcut to try.
Here's a handy shortcut to try. Credit: China Squirrel

Salt-crusted roast chicken with tarragon vinaigrette

Encased in a salt crust, this roast chicken recipe locks in moisture while seasoning the meat from within. The crack of the crust at the table adds theatre; the tarragon vinaigrette cuts through with freshness.

 Salt-crusted roast chicken with tarragon vinaigrette
Salt-crusted roast chicken with tarragon vinaigrette Credit: Petrina Tinslay

Peking roast chicken

Inspired by Peking duck, this roast chicken recipe uses air-drying to achieve shatter-crisp skin. The bird is brushed with a sweet–savoury glaze before roasting, and served with pancakes, cucumber and hoisin sauce.

Feast_190912_PekingChicken_.jpg

Adam Liaw's Chinese roast chicken

Distinct from Peking style, this recipe marinates the bird in soy, Shaoxing wine and spices, then roasts it for deep umami flavour. Ideal carved at the table with fragrant rice.

Chinese roast chicken
Credit: Jiwon Kim

Roast chicken with whole mushroom sauce

A roast chicken recipe that’s all about the sauce – a creamy, earthy mushroom blend poured generously over the bird. Pair with crusty bread or a mash for the ultimate roast chicken side dish.

Roast chicken with whole mushroom sauce
Credit: Adam Liaw

Slow roast chicken with fried bread stuffing

Low, slow heat and a rich fried bread stuffing make this how to roast chicken recipe a Sunday showstopper. Perfect for those wondering how long to roast a chicken for tenderness you can carve with a spoon.

Slow roast chicken with fried bread stuffing
Slow roast chicken with fried bread stuffing Credit: Kitti Gould

Roasted chicken with truffle butter

Seven days of dry-ageing intensifies the flavour of this roast chicken recipe, finished with aromatic truffle butter. Proof that patience, and knowing how to season a roast chicken, pays off in pure decadence.

Roasted chicken with truffle butter
Roasted chicken with truffle butter Credit: Kitti Gould

Whole roasted masala chicken

An Indian-inspired roast chicken recipe rubbed in masala spices for an aromatic, golden-skinned centrepiece. Serve with flatbreads and chutney – or turn leftovers into spiced roast chicken salad the next day.

MJCN----Nepalese-roast-chicken.jpg

Tahini chicken

Nutty, lemony tahini works as both marinade and sauce in this Middle Eastern–style recipe. Moist, richly flavoured meat with crisp skin makes for a dish that’s as good cold as hot.

Tahini chicken
Credit: Jiwon Kim

Shio koji chicken

In this Japanese roast chicken recipe, shio koji tenderises the meat while imparting a subtle savoury sweetness. A must-try for anyone curious about alternative marinades beyond classic brines and rubs.

Roast shio-kuji chicken
Roast shio-kuji chicken Credit: Murdoch Books / Ben Dearnley

Roast chicken with herb and ricotta stuffing

Herbed ricotta keeps the breast juicy while perfuming the bird from within. This how to roast a whole chicken recipe is also a clever answer to how to carve a roast chicken without losing moisture.

Roast chicken with herb and ricotta stuffing
Credit: Jiwon Kim

Whole roasted chicken with mandarin and mulled wine spices

Festive spices and citrus turn this roast chicken recipe into a celebration. The aromatics scent the kitchen, and the leftovers shine in roast chicken soup or a fragrant salad.

A golden brown roast chicken sits on a rack over a silver baking tray.
Whole roasted chicken with mandarin and mulled wine spices. Credit: Comfort Food With Spencer Watts

Spiced roasted chicken with toasted orzo

Greek-inspired and perfect for a crowd, this recipe uses cinnamon, oregano and lemon for warmth and brightness. Toasted orzo underneath catches all the savoury pan juices.

Spiced roasted chicken with toasted orzo
Credit: My Greek Table

Guillaume Brahimi's Roast chicken with truffle and cauliflower

French technique meets indulgence. Truffle butter seeps into the meat while roasted cauliflower brings a nutty sweetness — a dish that feels at home in a fine dining setting.

roast-chicken-with-truffle_99904058
file:4896_roast-chicken-with-truffle.jpg

Spanish roast chicken with garlic aioli (pollo la parilla con all i oli)

In this roast chicken recipe, garlic aioli replaces gravy for a sunny, Mediterranean touch. Perfect with crisp potatoes and a green salad – or pile slices into a sandwich with leftover aioli.

Roast chicken with aioli
Credit: The Latin Kitchen

Barbecued chicken with chimichurri

A smoky rotisserie chicken served with punchy Argentinian chimichurri. A vibrant way to rethink how to season a roast chicken, balancing charred skin with herby freshness.

Barbecued chicken with chimichurri
Barbecued chicken with chimichurri Credit: Kitti Gould

Roast chicken with sobrassada stuffing

This Spanish-inspired recipe hides a spicy sobrassada sausage stuffing inside. A bold twist that answers how to season a roast chicken in the most flavour-packed way.

Roast chicken with sobrassada stuffing
Credit: Rochelle Eagle

Turmeric and ginger chicken with barley salad and hummus

Warming spices and fresh ginger make this one bright and earthy. The barley salad doubles as a side dish, while leftovers work perfectly in wraps or grain bowls.

Turmeric and ginger chicken with barley salad and hummus
Credit: Donal's Meals in Minutes

Nigella Lawson's Italian roast chicken with peppers and olives

A Mediterranean recipe where sweet peppers and briny olives mingle with the pan juices. Great hot from the oven — or cooled and shredded into roast chicken salad.

Italian roast chicken with peppers and olives
Italian roast chicken with peppers and olives. © BBC Source: BBC

Roast chicken dinner in a pan

This tray-bake roast chicken recipe roasts the bird alongside seasonal vegetables for an all-in-one meal. A perfect pick for busy cooks wanting maximum flavour without multiple pans.

Roast chicken in a pan
Credit: Mary Makes It Easy


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