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 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.
This post may contain affiliate links which means if you purchase we might receive a small commission at no additional cost to you.
I purchased this Romertopf clay cooker 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 Romertopf clay baker 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, Romertopf pots are like a well-seasoned cast-iron skillet, everything just tastes better cooked in a Romertopf pot. The flavors just mingle better or something scientific like that. The only thing we needed to research now were Romertopf baker recipes especially a Romertopf chicken recipe.
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.
A Romertopf roast chicken is very moist but the seasonings are the king. Make a herb butter with thyme, rosemary, and parsley and rub the outside of the skin well. Also, lift the skin and place some of the herb butter between the skin and the meat.
You can’t go wrong with a Romertopf chicken baked in a Romertopf cooker or a stoneware roaster with the right seasonings. Our Romertopf chicken is moist, well seasoned and has a crispy browned skin.
How to use a Romertopf Roaster and a Stoneware Roaster:
Scroll to the bottom for the printable 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.
Stoneware Roaster
If you enjoy this Chicken Recipe then also try:
Click Here to Save this Romertopf Roast Chicken Recipe to Pinterest
Clay Pot Roast Chicken
Ingredients
- 1 5 lb whole chicken
- 1 rib celery cut into 2-3 pieces
- 1/2 large red onion cut into half
- 1/2 lemon cut in two
- 4 tbsp butter room temperature
- sprigs fresh thyme
- sprigs fresh parsley
- sprigs fresh rosemary
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1/2 cup white wine
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- Romertopf Roaster optional
Instructions
- If using Romertopf clay pot soak for at least 20 minutes, I usually soak it longer, about 1 hour.
- Only if using a regular roaster pan Preheat oven to 400 degrees. (Remember always place a Romertopf roaster in a cold oven then bring to temperature.)
- 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 herb butter.
- Wash chicken and dry thoroughly.
- 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.
- Place the lemon, celery, and onion in the chicken and any herbs that you choose.
- Season the outside of the chicken with salt and pepper.
- Tie legs together with kitchen twine
- Place chicken in roaster and pour the wine and chicken broth over the chicken. Cover with lid.
- (A) If using a clay pot Romertopf roaster place in a cold oven and set the oven temperature to 400° F . Bake for 2 hours covered until done.(B) If using regular 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.
Nutrition
This looks delicious! My parents have one of those pots and use it all the time. I've been looking for one second hand, but haven't found one yet.
Wow! This recipe looks really amazing!
Thanks for sharing this
This looks so good. I love a good whole chicken recipe!
Thank you for hosting Sunday Round Up. Great party!
I so have always wanted to buy a clay pot, have had the opportunities but didn't? I love cooking a whole chicken, and your recipe sounds so good. I also love rosemary and chicken together!
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!
Your recipe is great.
OMG It looks delicious!
This is a wonderful recipe! I've never made anything in a clay pot and this is looks deishhh!
This looks delicious I wish I had one of those pots to try out the recipe.
Thanks ever so much for the follow. I enjoyed visiting you and following you also.
This looks and is awesome!
I love your blog, great recipes for two (which I need to learn to cook for). Looking forward to following you.
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:)
That always happens to me, when I pass something up then I have a need for it:) Thanks for the visit.
I have always wanted to try cooking in a clay pot. I need to keep my eye out for one on sale
Thank you for having a great Mealtime Monday party each week. You will not regret buying a clay pot.
Well that looks truly yummy xox
That looks absolutely wonderful! It's making me hungry just reading it!
Thank you! Yes, I get hungry all over again looking at it also.
I love your clay pot! I have always wanted one. I can only imagine the scent of this dish cooking away.
Wow! That looks amazing.
Thanks Diane, congrats on your blog hop and looking forward to linking up each week.
That looks wonderful! I'm hungry just looking at it without the scratch and sniff added!
Yes, it was so delicious! My son and hubby just loved it.
Never cooked with a clay pot, but the whole meal looks delicious!
These clay pots can be purchased in several different sizes and are so fun. Thank you for having an amazing party.
how interesting! I have never seen this or heard about it….the chicken looks delicious!
Oh wow. That made my mouth water. Have a great day
I love my clay pots! But, for whatever reason, I have been forgetting to use them. I'm doing a lot of crock pot stuff, I guess. Thanks for the reminder and this delish looking recipe
Me Too! Your Welcome and thanks ever so much for the visit.
I don't own a clay pot.. but will definitely look into it! 🙂
Thanks for sharing
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.
I think I'm drooling. 😀 Can you come cook for us? 😀 Thanks
This was so amazing!!
This looks great! You have now started the clay pot cooking trend!
OH YUM! That looks so tasty! We don't have a clay pot – but had a chicken roasted on our BBQ with veggies like this at the weekend! Yuumm!!
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
I need to get me a clay pot… putting that on the list..
I know I got one of those pots for my wedding years ago. I'll have to drag it out and try this! Thanks
Thank you so much for sharing
This is inspiring!!
That was amazing! Love these pots
Thanks
That looks amazing.. I have a small clay pot that I brought home from africa but it is used more to carry water.
Yum! This was delicious! Thanks so much for sharing.
This looks delicious. I just saw this at Wallisfarm's link party.
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
Saw these on Amazon for sale in UK at about £22 . thnx for the recipe will surely try
Wow. It’s a great recipe. I love a good whole chicken recipe. Thanks for sharing.