A simple and easy cast iron whole roasted chicken that’s full of flavor, perfectly moist and tender, and just waiting to be served at the dinner table! This recipe is gluten-free, allergy-free, and paleo using a no-fail method for success!
Hold up! It’s official! I can honestly say now that I am a “real” chef. Why? We have finally conquered the whole roasted chicken! Knowing how to roast a perfect whole chicken is one of those “Things to Know How To Cook” by the time you’re out of college (i.e. a “real” adult). I was pretty embarrassed that I neglected this skill for so long. Who am I? I love chicken!
MY LATEST VIDEOSOf course, we all know, if you enlist the trusty cast iron to help you out, anything is possible. I grew up with my mom making the classic roast chicken dinners for my brother and I and I missed those days! I always shied away from roasting a whole chicken because I remember my mom always making a big fuss over it, from drying it out to it not being cooked all the way. But it turned out to be easy, much easier than I thought!
Let it be known that this was my FIRST time, all by myself. I literally winged it. But let me tell you, I was grossed out. I didn’t realize there was a tad of “dismantling” that needed to be done before the roasting could begin. Then carving it when it was done? Well, I guess I came out alive, eh? I will do it again so that means it wasn’t too bad. To make it easier on everyone, I kept the flavors super simple. With just some thyme, basil, garlic, onion, pepper, and ginger on the outside and stuffed some chopped apple and shallots inside and placed around the pan.
I wowed myself with this one. I was so nervous taking it out of the oven and then finally tasting it after the carving. It tasted like magic! But again, I think some of the magic came from the cast iron, no doubt! It never lets me down, ever!
Easy Cast Iron Whole Roasted Chicken (Gluten-Free, Paleo)
- 1 Whole Chicken (5.5-6lbs)
- 2 Small Gala Apples (chopped)
- 1 Large Shallot (chopped)
- 2 Tsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 1½ Tsp Dried Thyme
- 1 Tsp Dried Basil
- ½ Tsp Garlic Powder
- ½ Tsp Onion Powder
- ½ Tsp Ginger
- ¼ Tsp Black Pepper
- Preheat the oven to 375°F.
- Rinse and pat dry the chicken, inside and out.
- Place the chicken in a large seasoned cast iron skillet and stuff the chopped apples and shallot in the cavity of the chicken, placing any extra pieces around the chicken in the cast iron.
- Rub the outside of the chicken with the spices, herbs, and olive oil.
- Roast in the oven for about 1 hour and 40 minutes (about 20 minutes per pound) or until the chicken reaches a safe 180°F.
- Remove from the oven, cover with foil, and let the chicken rest for about 15-20 minutes before carving.
If I could do this safely, all by myself, and no one died in the process, you can too! It takes a bit of love and care, but you won’t be disappointed and you’ll have one fantastic and delicious dinner to serve your family! Don’t be scared!
So tell me:
+ When did you roast your first big bad whole chicken?
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Yay for whole roasted chickens! I just made my own for the first time last weekend! (We spatchcocked ours though!) I’ll have to try it in my cast iron after I finally re-season it! 😛
Haha, I always did it spatchcocked, but I couldn’t handle all that “dismantling”…yet 😛
Roast chicken is a definite staple in our home. All my children love it and so do I, with lots of greens!
It makes for a great meal!
I had no idea you could cook a whole chicken in a cast iron skillet! This looks incredible!
Give it a go and enjoy!
Your chicken looks delicious, I love cooking with cast iron. PINNED
Thanks!
I will just love your chicken in the iron skillet, this is my kind of cooking!
Glad to hear!
Congrats on your roasted chicken. I love my cast iron, and may I suggest a good thermometer? I gained a lot of confidence when I could check to be sure it was really done.
Of course that’s a kitchen essential!
Hmmm I’ve never tried a whole chicken in a skillet. I’ve done it in a dutch oven before. I’ll have to try this. Thank you for sharing.
Get out that iron!
I now what you mean I was totally grossed out the first time I had to dismantle the turkey for Thanksgiving. I love the idea that it roasts in the cast iron skillet in the oven. No fuss, no muss. my kind of recipe.
Haha, it was…unexpected 😛
I figured that if I can take on a whole thanksgiving turkey a whole chicken is easy. My problem is I never know exactly how much seasoning or what seasoning to use. Thanks for this.
Give it a go! Just throw whatever seasonings you want on there! Your just rubbing it into the skin and since I personally don’t eat the skin…well…the flavors just get lightly infused!
Looks delicious, healthy, and only one pan. All the boxes are checked:)
Haha, yes!
Oh this looks so delicious! I have only roasted chicken in the crockpot, never in the oven. Definitely need to give this one a try!
I want to try the slow cooker!
GIsh the chicken looks very tempting and moist. There’s nothing worse than dry meat. I’ve never thought of stuffing s chicken with apples before. I shall be giving this a try, thanks for sharing,
Why not add some easy flavor!
Looks wonderfully flavorful!
Thanks!
This chicken sounds amazing! Rotisserie chickens are one of my favorite easy meals but I never thought of baking one in a cast iron skillet. I’m saving this and may make it this weekend. Thank you so much for sharing.
Awesome! Let me know how it comes out for you!
This looks amazing! I’ve never done a chicken in my cast iron skillet, but now I’m sure going to! It makes roasting pans look BORING!
Cast iron is the only way to go now!
I love roasting chicken in my cast iron skillet! My favorite is with limes, poblanos, tomatillos, and some red onion then pouring a chimichurri sauce over the top, yum!
That sounds fabulous!
What a perfect comforting recipe, and the apples are such a fun twist.
Sure, thanks!
You had me at Cast Iron…this looks great!
Thank you!
Mmm! This looks amazing! I am always down for a chicken dish! Yours looks so tender! I’m drooling! Haha! Can’t wait to try making this! I’ve never cooked a whole chicken before!
Give it a try!! You feel really accomplished once it’s done…plus you have a delicious dinner! 😉
Nothing like a freshly roasted chicken to please the taste buds and tummy. My mom used her cast iron skillet for all kinds of food, including roasted chicken. Nice work, chef. : )
Perfect! A good chef knows that the key is in the iron 😉
I hadn’t thought to do this but it is a wonderful Idea. I plan to try it the next time I do a whole chicken
The iron never lets you down!
That roasted chicken looks incredible!
Thank you!
Roast chicken well cooked is one of the best dishes. That rub looks really tasty!
Yes! It has to be just right!
I’m going to send this recipe to my mom. This is just up her alley!
Perfect!
Sooo perfectly juicy!
You bet!
I love roasted chicken, but I am always a little bit hesitant about cooking a whole chicken. I can’t wait to try it in the cast iron, this looks fantastic!
Be hesitant no more!
This looks great Rebecca! So perfectly cooked! Love the seasonings you used! <3
Thank you Harriet 🙂