Cooking is not everyone’s strong suit, but there is one easy keto dish that everyone should know how to make. In my opinion, anyway. I’m not one to spend a lot of time in the kitchen, but I do know I prefer to make keto foods I can switch up for leftovers or use to make another entirely different dish.
The less time spent in the kitchen, the better; for me, anyway.
So, what is this magical keto dish? It’s baked whole chicken.
The versatility of this one dish is worth every moment of making it. Leftovers can be used to add to eggs in the morning, to make keto wraps, to add to salads, to make stews, and you can use the bones to season soups or broths.
Not only can the leftovers be used to make all of these other keto dishes, but baked chicken can be made in a hundred different ways with a ton of different seasonings. From spicy to savory, keto-baked chicken can be prepared in a way that can meet everyone’s keto taste.
This one is a personal favorite, but feel free to get creative!
- 4 lb whole chicken, at room temperature. Make sure to remove the giblets if it comes with them!
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 lemon, cut in half
- Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons fresh chopped parsley
- 4 garlic cloves, minced or finely cut.
- 1 head of garlic roughly peeled and cut in half horizontally through the middle crosswise
- 5 fresh whole rosemary sprigs
Instructions:
Preheat the oven to 450°F. Line a baking tray with foil, or lightly grease a roasting pan with olive oil.
Pour the olive oil, melted butter, and the juice of half a lemon over the chicken, under the skin and inside the cavity. Season the chicken liberally on the outside and inside the cavity with salt and pepper. Sprinkle over the parsley.
Rub the minced garlic over the chicken, mixing all ingredients on top of the chicken and under the skin.
Stuff the garlic head into the chicken cavity along with the rosemary sprigs and the squeezed lemon halves. Tie legs together with kitchen string (optional).
Place breast-side up into a baking tray or roasting pan. Roast for 1 hour and 15 minutes, basting halfway through cooking until juices run clear.
Baste again, then broil for a further 3-4 minutes, until golden brown.
Remove from the oven, cover with foil, and stand for 10 minutes before serving.
Serve, drizzled with pan juices and remaining lemon half cut into wedges or slices.
Approximate Macros (based on 8 servings): 335 Calories, 15G Fat, 46G Protein, Under 1G Net Carbs
That’s it. Most of the cooking time you can use to prepare any sides of your choice. But, of course, nothing beats a super easy-to-prepare keto dish with a huge punch of flavor.
To add a bit different flavor, add a few sprigs of sage or some fresh thyme – both have an earthy flavor that works well with lemon, garlic and butter!
If you are new to keto cooking, new to cooking in general, or someone who doesn’t want to spend hours in the kitchen with a several-step recipe, baked chicken is the perfect start.
Do you have your version of a whole baked chicken that you would consider the one keto meal everyone should know how to make?
Amy XO
p.s. Make sure you’ve downloaded my Keto Guide to help YOU get started (or restart) on your Keto Journey
p.p.s. Last weeks’ blog about ‘Don’t get Bored on Keto‘ is also a great read for ideas!
Thank you so much for all that you do!!
Looks and sounds delicious! Thanks for sharing!
Thank you. I think I can do that.
Can’t wait to try it! Sounds delicious!
Thank you for the special ingredients to toasting a chicken.
Good idea I’ll have to try it.
Thank you Amy. Sounds good.
Thanks for the recipe, will try it soon
I enjoy all of the recipes you give us. I spatchcock mine for more even cooking.
Looks so yummy!!
This looks like a great baked chicken recipe. Can’t wait to bake this.
Thank you Amy!
It looks great! I will try it out this week. Thank you Amy for all that you do for us!
Looks Devine!
Love the baked chicken recipe. Gonna make it this weekend! Thank you for all you do. ❤
Sounds good. Can’t wait to try it.
sounds yummy. looks so beautiful.
Thank you for everything!
We make whole chickens probably once a month. These ingredients are perfect and we use the leftovers to make chicken salad. So flavorful, that you don’t need much seasoning at all.
Thank you Amy. Nice simple recipe. Can’t wait to make it.
Sounds delicious. I am buying a whole chicken this week! Than you Amy!
That looks so good and I can always use the leftovers for chicken salad or something delicious. Thanks Amy! Your the best!
Sounds yummy I will definitely be trying this
Thanks for the recipe‼️😋
Looks delicious although I will have to use dried seasoning which will still make it delicious. Thanks.
This looks awesome! I will definitely be trying this
Looks amazing. I can’t wait to try it.
Thank You!
Sounds delightful. Thanks
Thank you Amy Chicken is always been my favorite. Will definitely try this.
Glenda DeWitt
I am on a very tight budget so I roast chicken leg quarters and rub them with coconut oil and butter then hit it with whatever spices I have the craving for!
By the way, Amy, with your help I’m down to 301 from 426 this past year. I humbly say thank you.Monday I’ll be under 300 for the first time in 20 yrs.
I’m going to try this recipe. I love chicken.
Thank you for all you do for us.
Thank you for sharing! Looks yummy!
I do love whole baked chicken. After baking it, whether in the oven or Instant Pot, I then take the bones and make bone broth in the Instant Pot overnight. I freeze 1 cup portions of the bone broth and have rich, healthy bone broth throughout the year to make homemade soups. Love it! Thanks for giving us your favorite recipe. I’ll try your spices for a change.
Thanks for the delicious recipes
The recipes and encouragement with vegetables helps us so much.