Recipes › Sage › Crispy Sage Roasted Chicken
Crispy Sage Roasted Chicken
A whole roasted chicken rubbed all over with a sage and garlic butter pushed under the skin emerges from the oven with the crispiest golden skin imaginable and incredibly juicy, flavour-soaked meat underneath. Sage is the undisputed star, infusing every bite with its woodsy, camphor warmth. This is the kind of simple, impressive dinner that anchors a family meal.
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Ingredients
- whole chicken (about 4 lbs)
- tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- tablespoons fresh sage leaves, finely chopped, plus whole leaves for stuffing
- garlic cloves, minced
- lemon
- teaspoons kosher salt
- teaspoon black pepper
- tablespoon olive oil
Contains: milk.
Method
- Preheat oven to 425°F. Pat the chicken dry all over with paper towels — this is key to crispy skin.
- Mix softened butter, chopped sage, garlic, salt, pepper, and the zest of the lemon until smooth.
- Carefully loosen the skin over the breasts and thighs with your fingers. Push butter under the skin, spreading it as evenly as possible.
- Rub remaining butter all over the outside of the chicken. Rub with olive oil for extra crispiness.
- Stuff the cavity with the halved lemon and a few whole sage leaves.
- Place the chicken breast-side up on a rack in a roasting pan. Roast at 425°F for 20 minutes.
- Reduce heat to 375°F and continue roasting for 55–60 minutes, until a thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh reads 165°F.
- Rest for 15 minutes before carving.
Tips
- Drying the chicken thoroughly and starting at high heat are the two non-negotiable steps for truly crispy skin.
- Let the chicken sit uncovered in the fridge overnight after rubbing with butter for even crispier results.
Ring the changes
- Add a sprig of rosemary to the cavity alongside the sage.
- Use the pan drippings to make a quick pan sauce with a splash of white wine and chicken stock.
Keeping it
Leftovers keep refrigerated for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven at 325°F, covered loosely with foil to prevent drying out.
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30 min · medium · Sage
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