My secret oven roasted chicken recipe that will guarantee your chicken will never come out dry. Super moist and flavorful oven roasted chicken comes down to a simple magical marinade.
One of the problems with making oven roasted chicken is that it (sometimes) comes out super dry. And that’s always a huge disappointment.
Thankfully my mom has come up with the ultimate solution. Marinating the chicken in mayonnaise or mustard helps keep it moist.
It’s best to marinate it overnight or for at least 8 hours. I was hoping to marinate mine overnight but couldn’t because it hadn’t defrosted yet. Another thing about whole chickens – once they’re frozen – they want to stay that way.
Think it took me 2 days of defrosting before the chicken was soft enough for me to take all that guk out that they put inside. You know what I’m talking about – all those extra body parts – the neck, heart, etc. Do they put the heart in there? I wouldn’t know – because that little pouch of guk goes straight from the chicken into the trash.
I’m only interested in the wings, drumstick, and white meat. Oh and of course the skin – that’s the best – hot and crispy out of the oven – couldn’t get any better. But hey if you like all those extra parts feel free to roast them too. Whatever you do though make up your mind in the very beginning – roast them or throw them away – but by no means leave them inside the chicken (sometimes they’re in little plastic bags and you don’t want that roasting inside your chicken)!
Don’t be freaked out by the amount of mayonnaise in this oven roasted chicken recipe. Trust me, if you want your oven roasted chicken to be juicy and tender be sure to try marinating it in a mix of mustard and mayo. You will not regret it.
I love making Gluten free roast chicken and then incorporating it into recipes all week long. If you’re looking for ideas some suggestions include creamy chicken pesto pasta, Thai chicken salad, chicken soup with cherry tomatoes and white beans, chicken and pesto panini, penne with chicken in a creamy tomato sauce, napa cabbage almond chicken salad, the options are endless.
A simple marinate for chicken that will guarantee the oven roasted chicken is tender and juicy
- 3.5 pound organic chicken whole
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons mustard
- 5 cloves garlic minced
- salt pepper to taste
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Defrost chicken, rinse it with cold water and remove pouch from inside. Optional - cut off some of the extra fat.
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Combine mustard, mayo and garlic in a small bowl. Rub salt and pepper into the chicken. Using a spoon spread the mayo mix all over the chicken, on all sides and inside as well. Marinate in the refrigerator overnight or at least 8 hours.
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Preheat oven to 350-375 degrees F. Place chicken on roasting pan and add 1-2 cups of water to the pan. Bake for 45 minutes then flip over and cook for another 45 minutes (or following directions on chicken package)
Emily says
What would you do without mayo!
AvocadoPesto says
I would lead a very sad life indeed!
Deanna S says
I tried this recipe and it was so good. I will definitely make it again..
Vicky says
Thanks so much for stopping by and letting me know how the recipe turned out! I’m so glad you liked it!!!
Valynn {vanillyn} says
Came across your roast chicken from FG, your pic makes me hungry! Thanks for the recipe…
Vicky says
Thanks! The mayo truly helps tenderize the chicken so much!
Sandrine says
I will like to make it with chicken thighs. Do I still put 2 cups of the water in the roasting pan? Afraid the chicken thigh pieces will be swimming in water.
Vicky says
Omit the water entirely or just add a small amount. Let me know how it turns out! Hope you enjoy this!
maria says
This might sound like a stupid question….do you roast it breast side down first then flip it over to brown top? ….and roasting pan w/rack or just place chicken on bottom w/water?
Thanks!
Vicky says
Hi Maria,
No worries there are no stupid questions! I usually start roasting it breast side down, so that then when I flip it over it is breast side up and that is the part that gets browned and cripsy by the end of the roasting time. (If you do it the other way that’s fine too!). I usually just place the chicken on the roasting pan with the water, but feel free to try it on the rack instead if you want! Hope it turns out well!
Jhari says
I tried your recipe and 2 thumbs up. My husband loved it so much that I’ve prepared the meal twice already in a month. So delicious and the mayo is perfect. Thank you so much!
Vicky says
I’m so glad you both enjoyed it! Thanks for stopping by to let me know. : ) A lot of people seemed to be turned off by the whole mayo marinade at first, but I think it really is a full proof method to make sure the chicken doesn’t come out dry!
Mary says
I have quit roasting chickens because the ones from the grocery store are so cheap and easy. But my kids say they just don’t taste like homemade, so I will suck it up and make them a real one using your recipe. Thanks for the push I needed!
Vicky says
Hope you enjoy the recipe! It is so easy to buy the store bought ones but nothing beats a home made oven roasted chicken : ) Hope your kids approve of this one!
Nicole says
Thanks so much for this wonderful recipe. I cooked dinner for myself and my family this Christmas, and your recipe was success! The chicken was very moist $ tasty. I followed the directions exactly. I will definitely make this again.
Vicky says
Nicole I am so so happy you and your family enjoyed this recipe : ))) That really makes my day!
Lauren says
Made this tonight. The best roast chicken I have ever tasted! Thank you for this great recipe.
Vicky says
So happy to hear that Lauren : ))) Thanks for commenting to let me know!