Crispy Parmesan Roast Chicken

  • Level: Easy
  • Yield: 4 servings
  • Total: 2 hr 20 min
  • Active: 20 min
Here's a recipe for roasted chicken with a twist—a crispy crust made by patting the bird with a generous amount of grated Parmesan. We spatchcocked the chicken by removing the backbone and flattening it, for more even and faster cooking. Then it's roasted atop aromatics for a quick one-dish weeknight meal. Be sure to scoop out the garlic for spreading on the chicken—or crusty bread served alongside.
Advertisement

Ingredients

1 teaspoon minced fresh thyme, plus 3 large sprigs

1 teaspoon minced fresh rosemary, plus two large sprigs

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper 

1 lemon, cut into 4 wedges

1 medium onion, cut into 6 wedges

1 head garlic, cut in half crosswise through the center

2 medium carrots, thinly sliced

One 3 1/2-to-4-pound whole chicken

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

1/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan

Directions

  1. Combine the minced thyme, minced rosemary, 1 tablespoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in a small bowl. Scatter the herb sprigs, lemon and onion wedges, garlic and carrots in a 9-by-13-inch baking dish.
  2. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels. Using poultry shears, cut along both sides of the backbone to remove it. Open the chicken breast-side up and press firmly in the center of the breast to flatten. Sprinkle the salt mixture over both sides of the chicken. Place the chicken on top of the aromatics in the baking dish, tucking the wing tips under, and let sit at room temperature for 1 hour.   
  3. When ready to roast, position a rack in the upper third of the oven and preheat to 425 degrees F.  
  4. Drizzle the chicken with the olive oil and sprinkle all over with the Parmesan. Roast until an instant-read thermometer inserted into a thigh reaches 165 degrees F, about 45 minutes. Remove from the oven and let the chicken rest for 15 minutes before carving. Serve on a platter with the roasted carrots, lemon, onion and garlic.

Let's Get Cooking!

Sign up for the Recipe of the Day newsletter to receive editor-picked recipes,tips and videos delivered to your inbox daily. Privacy Policy

Thanks for subscribing to the Recipe of the Day newsletter. Check out all our other great newsletters from Easy Recipes, Healthy Eating Ideas and Chef Recipe Videos.

We're sorry, there was an error signing you up. Please try again later.

Advertisement

washgirl

Delicious! I've made it twice, and the second time I used garlic powder sprinkled over the veggies and mixed with the salt and herbs instead of the head of garlic. TDoes anyone else feel like the garlic cloves in the original recipe were awkward to eat due to the peeling still being on them? Oh, and I've added potatoes both times after another reviewer suggested it.

See All Reviews