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Mom's dutch oven whole chicken is an easy recipe that's perfect for the whole family! With incredibly simple ingredients and a few easy steps you can have this crispy skin, juicy center roast chicken on the table in no time!
Here's why you should choose this one
Easy clean up - Dutch oven recipes are the best because they require very few dishes which means easy clean up! Not only that, but the cooking time in a dutch oven is often quicker than in the oven or in a slow cooker. That's what I love about this recipe.
Mom's classic recipe - When I say this truly is the BEST roast chicken recipe, I mean it. My mom used to make this at least one Sunday a month. It's just so easy to throw in a dutch oven and let it cook for a few hours.
Perfect for leftovers - Another reason why this is a favorite recipe of mine is because it makes great leftovers! You can use the extra meat in gluten-free chicken noodle soup, enchiladas, salads, or make gluten-free chicken pot pie.
Ingredients for Dutch oven roast chicken
When I say these ingredients are simple, I mean it! You probably have most of these ingredients and spices in your home already.
Whole Chicken - For this whole chicken recipe you can use a thawed frozen chicken or buy a fresh whole chicken at the store, the choice is yours. I do recommend a high quality chicken though for the best flavor.
Coconut Oil - For crispy skin and in order for the spices to stick, you need coconut oil or olive oil. You can melt coconut oil in a small bowl if needed. I found that it works better than olive oil with its higher smoke point.
And the coconut flavor doesn't over power at all.
Spices - I like Real salt, Real onion salt, Real seasoned salt, cayenne, paprika, and other fresh herbs. You can add whatever spices you'd like.
How to make it
This is one of the easiest meals because all you have to do is season the chicken, place it in the bottom of the pan, then let it bake! No need to add spices or stuffing to the cavity of the chicken either!
Before seasoning the chicken, it's important to massage the chicken with oil so that the spices will stick and the skin comes out crispy. After the chicken is covered in oil, you can add the spices and place in the bottom of the dutch oven.
Bake for 2 ½ hours or until chicken is fully cooked. I like to use a meat thermometer on the thickest part of the thigh and make sure the chicken is 165 degrees f.
Pro tip: Serve with fresh veggies, lemon juice, and a sprinkle of parsley for an easy way to spice up this recipe!
5 and 6 quart dutch ovens are large enough to cook a whole chicken and even bake an entire loaf of bread! But for this recipe, simply place the chicken in the bottom of the pan and roast until the internal temperature is 165 degrees f.
Pro tip: For juicy meat it's best to cook your chicken covered but if you want crispy skin, feel free to cook your chicken uncovered for the 2nd portion of the cook time.
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Classic Dutch Oven Whole Chicken
Ingredients
- 1 whole fryer chicken
- 1 T coconut oil
- 1 tsp. Real Salt
- ½ tsp. Real Onion Salt
- ½ tsp. Real Garlic Salt
- ½ tsp. Real Seasoned Salt
- ½ tsp. paprika
- ¼ tsp. cayenne
- 1 T dried thyme rosemary, or any other spice you like
Instructions
- Preheat oven temperature to 350 degrees f
- Combine salts and seasonings
- Spread coconut oil all over the bird then wash hands
- Massage spices and salts into the bird
- Thoroughly wash hands again
- Place chicken in bottom of a dutch oven
- Cook in covered dutch oven at 350 degrees for about 2 ½ to 3 hrs
Notes
Nutrition
This post was originally published in December 2017 but was updated in March 2022.
Chrissy says
My favorite meal is bacon mac and cheese with roasted brussel sprouts on the side!
Becca Z says
Lasagna with a side salad is my fave meal.
cyndi br says
favorite is bbq ribs on the grill
Kately says
Broiled salmon is my favorite.
Maria Beas says
I love grilled veggies. Thanks for the chance to win such an amazing giveaway and Happy Holidays!!!
Maria Beas says
I would like to try the natural onion salt.
Erin Lane says
Indian Food-- mater paneer.
Sean C says
I enjoy my mom's beef stew.
Alina says
Love steak and potatoes with some asparagus.
heather says
My favorite meal to enjoy is a ham dinner.
Maryann D. says
My favorite meals are stir fry dishes, especially tofu with mixed vegetables.
Cheryl says
My favorite meal is a pot roast dinner.
Cheryl B says
I love pot roast and Potatoes.
Karen D says
Macaroni and cheese. Homemade, of course!
Dandi D says
One of my family's favorite meals is BBQ meatballs and baked mac and cheese!
Dana Rodriguez says
I love comfort foods. I also love spices! These sound wonderful. Happy Holidays!
Karol says
My favorite meal is grilled mahi mahi with jaasmine rice.
Kim Ledford-Burley says
gf meatloaf mashed potatoes and roasted brocolli
jberry says
I love having roast lamb this time of year.
Gina M says
That sticky orange chicken looks amazing! I would love to enter to win this amazing contest!!
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