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How to make a Moist Roasted Chicken

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Baking a chicken in the oven or roasting the chicken in the oven can sometimes dry out a chicken but with a few tips, the right seasons and the perfect roaster, the chicken can be moist and delicious each and every time.   

We have researched so many recipes on the best way to roast chicken and moist roasted chicken techniques and we have discovered a few tricks that will rock your baked chicken or roasted chicken.   

Easy Roast Chicken


Remember when Bree on “Desperate Housewives” was horrified when someone maliciously told her that her chicken was dry. That was so funny but it’s not if it occurs in your home.  You work hard to put a great dinner on the table and you want sure-fire methods to make it the best.  


 We have worked hard to prevent this in various ways.   We have brined and marinated whole chickens, we have injected liquid into them, we have rubbed butter under the skins and then sometimes we just crossed my fingers and hoped for the best.  We knew there had to be a better way.  

 We purchased a clay pot years ago but the only problem we forget we have it for months and months. We bought it when we were on vacation and stumbled upon an old shop, a store in Texas which was called  “Mercantile”, a kind of general store from days gone by.  

 I knew my mother had a clay pot but had never seen one for sale.   Of course, that was before Amazon, where you can find anything.  We purchased it and then began to research how to use it.  Again this was before the internet so it was actually going to the library and search.  

And this is what we learned, clay pots are like a well-seasoned cast iron skillet, everything just tastes better cooked in a clay pot.  The flavors just mingle better or something scientific like that.

 And there is nothing like a well-seasoned cast iron skillet or a well-conditioned clay pot to enhance the cooking quality of your dishes. 

And the most important of all, it will not dry out! Ok, let me repeat that it will not dry out.  
 My clay pot over time has acquired a color change which indicates the character of the pot.  

We also have an amazing Stoneware Roaster that produces very moist Roast Chicken.  It’s a little easier to use since you do not have to soak it prior to use. 

Clay Pot Chicken Recipe

Even though the Clay Pot Roaster or the Stoneware Roaster cooks a great moist chicken, the seasonings are the king.   We make a herb butter with thyme, rosemary, and parsley and rub the outside of the skin well.  We also lift the skin and place some of the herb butter between the skin and the meat.

 

Easy Roasted chicken

We can’t go wrong by baking a chicken in a well-seasoned clay pot or a stoneware roaster with the right seasonings.   Our chicken is moist, well seasoned and has a crispy browned skin.  

Clay Pot Roast Chicken
Ingredients
  • 1- 5lb whole chicken
  • 1 stalk of celery cut into 2-3 sticks
  • 1/2 large red onion cut into half
  • 1/2 lemon, cut in two
  • 4 tbsp butter, room temperature
  • springs of fresh thyme
  • springs of fresh parsley
  • springs of fresh rosemary
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup white wine
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
Instructions
1. (A) If using Clay Pot soak for at least 20 minutes, I usually soak it longer, about 1 hour.
(B) If using a stoneware roaster, preheat oven to 400 degrees.
2. Using a fork mix the butter with one minced garlic clove and 1 tablespoon of each of the herbs that you choose to use. ( I used all three) to make a herb butter.
3. Wash chicken and dry thoroughly.
4. Gently ease up the breast skin of the chicken and spread the herb butter between the skin and the meat of the breast being careful not to pierce the skin. Also gently lift the skin of the drumsticks and spread butter under them.
5. Place the lemon, celery, and onion in the chicken and any herbs that you choose.
6. Season the outside of the chicken with salt and pepper.
7. Tie legs together with kitchen twine
8. Place chicken in roaster and pour the wine and chicken broth over the chicken.
9. Cover with lid.
10. (A) If using a Clay Pot roaster place in cold oven and set the oven temperature to 400° F . Bake for 2 hours covered until done.
(B) If using Stoneware roaster bake for 65-70 minutes
11. Remove the lid and cook for 10-15 minutes longer until chicken is golden brown and thermometer registers 165° F and juices run clear.
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Our Favorite Roasters and instructions:
moist chicken recipe
Clay pots have to be submerged in water for anywhere from 20 minutes to an hour before placing them in the oven.   And NEVER NEVER use a preheated oven, always place the pot in a COLD oven and then set the temperature.   
moist roast chicken

Stoneware Roaster

Stoneware Rooster is big enough for a 5lb chicken and will produce a moist chicken if cooked covered. It’s easier to use since it doesn’t need to be soaked prior to use.   
Other chicken dishes you might enjoy:
easy roast chicken

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Comments

  5. I so have always wanted to buy a clay pot, have had the opportunities but didn't? I love cooking whole chicken, and you recipe sounds so good. I also love rosemary and chicken together! Thanks for sharing your creative inspiration at Sunday's Best Par.tay!

    Reply

    • I need to do my research for locations to purchase these wonderful clay pots and post it for everyone. Yes, rosemary is my favorite herb with chicken. Thank you for hosting Sunday's Best Par-tay!

      Reply

  8. Thanks for joining Southern Sundays with this wonderful recipe! I've never made anything in a clay pot and this looks deishhh! I'll be announcing the featured recipes next week. Hope to see you at the next party with another great item!

    Reply

  10. This looks awesome!

    We live in our RV full-time and love it! but are not retired yet so are not traveling except from job site to job site – we are gate guards.

    Reply

  11. I nearly bought a clay pot on a garage sale one time but did not know what to do with it! The next time I will pick it up and try this recipe:)

    Reply

  12. I have always wanted to try cooking in a clay pot. I need to keep my eye out for one on sale.

    Thanks for linking up at Mealtime Monday!

    Kaylee

    Reply

  15. I love your clay pot! Have always wanted one. I can only imagine the scent of this dish cooking away. Yum!
    Thank you for linking again this week at See Ya In the Gumbo.

    Reply

  16. Wow! That looks amazing. I am hosting my 2nd blog hop and would love it if you would share this recipe with my followers. Have a wonderful day. Diane @ MamalDiane.com

    Reply

  18. Never cooked with a clay pot, but the whole meal looks delicious! Good luck with your new RV adventure! Sounds fun. Thanks for being a part of our "Strut Your Stuff Saturday." Hope to see you again real soon!! -The Sisters

    Reply

  22. I don't own a clay pot.. but will definitely look into it! 🙂

    Thanks for sharing this at The DIY Dreamer.. From Dream To Reality!! Don't forget to add my button in your linky parties 🙂

    Reply

  23. I have two of those and love using them! In Germany (where I'm from and where I bought them) they are called "Roemertopf" and are very popular.

    Reply

  28. I wish we had smell-o-coumputers too, because this looks like it was fantastic!! I have never cooked in a clay pot, I think I'll keep an eye out for one. Thanks for sharing with us at Link It Up Thursday.

    Reply

  29. Hello, my name is Jennifer and I have shared this post over at my blog eatcraftsow.blogpost.com. Please let me know if there is anything you wish for me to remove. Have a great day!!!!

    Reply

  30. Thanks for linking this to the MONDAY ALL STARS at simply done wright … this is so kewl.. I need to get me a clay pot… putting that on the list..

    Thanks again,
    Carri

    Reply

  39. I will definitely be on the lookout for one of these clay pots! I love chicken 'roasted' with veggies 🙂 Thank you for also sharing this on Tasty Thursday

    Reply

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