Citrus & Thyme Roasted Chicken Recipe

I just love it when whole chickens are on sale for under $1/lb.  I always buy one for dinner for the week and one for the freezer.  For this Citrus & Thyme Roasted Chicken Recipe, you will need to spatchcock the chicken, which is actually super easy to do, you just cut the backbone of the chicken out and then flatten the chicken by pressing on the breast bone.    Check out how to spatchcock a chicken here.

You will then want to tuck the wings under so they are not sticking out during the roasting process.

This allows for more even cooking of the wings and legs at such a high oven temperature.  The combination of grapefruit zest on top of the chicken and whole slices of grapefruit in the pan while the chicken is cooking really enhances the flavor of the chicken and makes it incredibly tender and juicy.

I use the leftover chicken as lunch meat the next day and it makes for a delicious moist sandwich that my kiddos devour, and I’ll use the chicken on a bed of arugula or spinach and enjoy and fresh salad.

If you don’t want to heat the oven, you could also use this recipe in the slow cooker, but I would add about 1/2 cup of liquid (either water or chicken broth) and slow cook for about 6 hours on med/high heat.  The oven results in a crispy skin, which you won’t really get in the slow cooker, but it will save your kitchen from heating up in the summer.

Signature Farms Fresh Whole Chickens are on sale at Safeway for just $.97/lb. through March 3rd along with chicken leg quarters and drumsticks.   Fresh oranges and grapefruit are on sale for $1/lb. Perfect time to try this delicious recipe.

Citrus & Thyme Roasted Chicken Ingredients

• 2 tsp kosher salt
• 1 tsp coarse-ground black pepper
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 Tbs thyme leaves
• zest of 1/2 grapefruit, plus 6, 1/2-inch grapefruit slices
• 1 Tbs extra virgin olive oil
• 1 4 -5 pound whole chicken
• 6-8 thyme sprigs

1. Preheat oven to 500°. In a small bowl, combine salt, pepper, garlic powder, thyme leaves and grapefruit zest. Set aside.

2. Rinse and pat chicken dry. On a cutting board, flip chicken onto breast. Using kitchen shears, cut out the backbone of the chicken. Place chicken breast side up. Press on breast bone until breast is flattened. Tuck ends of wings under the breast bone.

3. Rub chicken with olive oil and season with spice mixture. Place grapefruit slices and thyme on a rimmed baking sheet and top with chicken.

4. Bake for 20 minutes. Reduce heat to 475° and bake additional 15-20 minutes, or until internal temperature of breast reaches 155°. Let rest for 10 minutes before serving.

Pro Tips:
1. To store leftover chicken, remove meat from bones and place in airtight container in the refrigerator, up to 3 days.
2. A simple spinach salad would be the perfect side to serve with this tangy delight!

Citrus & Thyme Roasted Chicken

Perfect recipe for whole chicken - Citrus & Thyme Roasted Chicken is your answer to Sunday dinner.

5 from 1 vote

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Calories:

Ingredients

• 2 tsp kosher salt
• 1 tsp coarse-ground black pepper
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 Tbs thyme leaves
• zest of 1/2 grapefruit plus 6, 1/2-inch grapefruit slices
• 1 Tbs extra virgin olive oil
• 1 4 -5 pound  whole chicken
• 6-8 thyme sprigs

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 500°. In a small bowl, combine salt, pepper, garlic powder, thyme leaves and grapefruit zest. Set aside.
• Rinse and pat chicken dry. On a cutting board, flip chicken onto breast. Using kitchen shears, cut out the backbone of the chicken. Place chicken breast side up. Press on breast bone until breast is flattened. Tuck ends of wings under the breast bone.
• Rub chicken with olive oil and season with spice mixture. Place grapefruit slices and thyme on a rimmed baking sheet and top with chicken.
• Bake for 20 minutes. Reduce heat to 475° and bake additional 15-20 minutes, or until internal temperature of breast reaches 155°. Let rest for 10 minutes before serving.

Nutrition

Serving: 0g | Carbohydrates: 0g | Protein: 0g | Fat: 0g | Saturated Fat: 0g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0g | Trans Fat: 0g | Cholesterol: 0mg | Sodium: 0mg | Potassium: 0mg | Fiber: 0g | Sugar: 0g | Vitamin A: 0IU | Vitamin C: 0mg | Calcium: 0mg | Iron: 0mg

Watch a video, courtesy of our friends at Safeway for pulling this Citrus & Thyme Chicken Recipe together:

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