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    Home » Recipes » Healthy Mediterranean Recipes

    Published: Sep 11, 2020 · Modified: Nov 3, 2022 by Mariska Ramondino · This post may contain affiliate links

    Cast-iron Roast Chicken with finger-licking pan juices

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    The Best Cats-Iron Roast Chicken with Finger-licking Pan Juices.

    This beautiful cast-iron roast chicken is filled with creamy Brie and deliciously flavored with Rosemary, garlic, onions, Italian seasoning, and the sweet-tart juices of fresh oven-roasted grapes.

    It all goes into one oven-safe skillet—simple, easy, yet big in flavors.

    One whole roasted browned chicken in a cast-iron pan with pan juices.

    The recipe card has step-by-step instructions with pictures.

    But I encourage you to read through all my helpful tips first for making this cast-iron roast chicken the best way.

    Jump to:
    • Reasons to make this unique cast-iron roast chicken
    • What makes this a delicious chicken recipe
    • Helpful tips for making a good roast chicken
    • What to do with chicken giblets
    • The best herbs to season this chicken
    • What to put inside the chicken cavity
    • Chicken and Brie & how to add it
    • Chicken and grapes for incredible pan juices
    • How long to roast a whole chicken
    • How to check for doneness
    • Serving suggestions
    • How to reheat leftovers
    • Make it a festive dinner for the Holidays—Menu suggestion
    • More delicious recipes you might like
    • 📖 Recipe

    Reasons to make this unique cast-iron roast chicken

    • There is nothing easier than roasting a chicken in the oven for dinner.
    • The pan juices in this cast iron roast chicken recipe are INCREDIBLE.
    • It's a classic tried-and-true whole roast chicken.
    • You can even make it for special occasions.
    • Because chicken for gatherings around the Thanksgiving table or for Christmas makes sense when you make it extra special—move over, Turkey.
    • Best yet, everything is prepped in 10 minutes, and then you let the oven do its magic.

    What makes this a delicious chicken recipe

    • Fresh herbs like Rosemary, roasted garlic cloves, onions, and extra-virgin olive oil combined with Italian seasoning give this beautifully-browned roasted whole chicken lovely comforting flavors.
    • Creamy Brie filling and sweet grapes tossed alongside the chicken create delicious pan juices.
    • Those grapes caramelize when roasted, adding lightly sweet undertones to the savory flavors, while the Brie adds a heavenly buttery consistency.

    Let's make it!

    Helpful tips for making a good roast chicken

    • Let the chicken rest at room temperature for around 10 minutes before prep time. It ensures the meat cooks evenly.
    • Then pat the chicken dry with paper towels. Don't skip this step. I even go inside the cavity of the chicken and thoroughly dry it. It will result in beautiful crispier skin and ensure no extra liquid interferes with those flavorful caramelized pan juices.
    • Season every surface of the chicken generously with salt—yep, even inside the cavity and in between the wings. Chicken needs a good amount of salt to develop beautiful flavors and a juicy texture.
    Four pics showcasing how to season a whole chicken in an iron skillet with salt and olive oil.

    Pro tip: I like to season the chicken directly in the pan so that any extra sprinkles of salt that don't fall on the chicken will go into the skillet.

    • Don't skimp on the fat. It creates a beautiful brown and crispy chicken skin and offers a lot of flavors and juicy pan drippings.
    • Leave the bird alone in the oven. No need to baste it. Let the oven do its work and roast long enough for the flavors to develop (more on that later).
    • Let the roasted bird rest before carving. Once taken out of the oven, the cast iron pan will be extremely hot, and the chicken will still continue to cook a bit longer. Wait for about 10 minutes for the juicy chicken to settle further and for the flavors to come together before serving.

    What to do with chicken giblets

    • Some whole chickens come with giblet parts. They are usually stored in a paper bag inside the cavity.
    • Remove the giblets from the bag. Discard the bag.
    • Here at home, we consider them tasty little treats and are added to the pan alongside the chicken.
    • Season them with salt and pepper and add them to the roasting pan. It's delicious!

    The best herbs to season this chicken

    A hand seasoning a whole chicken in a cast iron pan.
    • Besides salt, I'm relying on simple Italian seasoning that will give tremendous flavor to a roasted chicken and its crispy skin.
    • Use a blend of dried oregano, Basil, and Marjoram. If you already have pre-bought Italian seasoning on hand, you can use 1 tablespoon of that instead.
    • Fresh Rosemary leaves add an incredible aroma, and the oven-roasted needles can be cracked and served on top of the chicken.
    • Don't forget to also season the onions, garlic, and grapes in the pan.
    • Generously use freshly ground black pepper to round off the dish.

    Note: Italian seasoning is a blend of ground herbs that you can buy ready in the grocery store and adds wonderful Mediterranean flavors. But you can also mix equal parts of all or some dried oregano, marjoram, thyme, rosemary, Basil, and sage.

    A raw whole chicken stuffed and seasoned in a cast-iron pan.

    What to put inside the chicken cavity

    A hand seasoning the cavity of a whole raw chicken with salt.
    • Always generously sprinkle salt on the inside of the chicken so the seasoning can work its magic past the skin.
    • I'm also filling the cavity with garlic cloves, onions, Brie, and grapes for this recipe which will create incredible flavors and delicious chicken juices.
    One whole roasted browned chicken in a cast-iron pan with pan juices.

    Chicken and Brie & how to add it

    • Brie has a mild flavor but is also buttery and slightly fruity, creating a beautiful creamy texture that pairs lovely with well-seasoned chicken.
    • I divide it evenly between the wings, inside the cavity, and chicken legs (slightly opened up with a small incision) to create concentrated pockets of creamy goodness.
    A raw whole chicken stuffed and seasoned in a cast-iron pan.
    Four pictures showcasing how to stuff a whole chicken in an iron skillet with brie, grapes, garlic, onions, and how to slice partly through the skin that connects the legs to the breast.

    Chicken and grapes for incredible pan juices

    A combination of onions, garlic, and grapes are added to the large cast iron skillet and, together with olive oil, will create incredibly flavored juices that are

    • naturally sweet,
    • slightly thick,
    • and delicious when topped on the carved chicken.
    A spoon holding pan juices from a cast-iron skilled with a whole roasted chicken.
    A cast-iron roast chicken with incredibly flavorful pan juices.

    How long to roast a whole chicken

    Count about 15 minutes per pound of chicken. So for a 4 pound of chicken, that equals about 1 hour to get crispy-browned skin and juicy, tender meat.

    One whole roasted browned chicken in a cast-iron pan with pan juices.

    Note: This recipe works best with either 3 ½ pounds or up to 5 pounds of chicken to get the best results with the suggested oven setting and measured ingredients.

    One whole roasted browned chicken in a cast-iron pan with pan juices.

    How to check for doneness

    • If you count about 15 minutes of oven time per pound of chicken, you'll have beautifully crispy-browned chicken skin and tender, juicy meat on the inside—no pinkish colors.
    • If still unsure, carefully remove the skillet from the oven and check in between the cut leg joints—you shouldn't see any pink or rosy colors and only clear juices.

    Serving suggestions

    • Let it rest for a few minutes before carving and serving.
    • If you use a cast-iron skillet, this can go directly from oven to table—just be careful because it will be super hot.
    • You also want to top any carved meat with those delicious juices, some roasted garlic, onions, grapes, and Rosemary.
    • Make sure to divide some of the cheesy and buttery pieces!
    • This whole roasted chicken pairs well with mashed or oven-roasted potatoes, a healthy cauliflower mash, or any other vegetables like asparagus, roasted baby bok choy, or this beautiful quick-braised fennel with sweet peaches.

    How to reheat leftovers

    • My preferred way is to shred the meat into bite-sized pieced and cut through some of the boney parts (if any are left).
    • Place everything in a large enough skillet on the stove over medium heat.
    • Cook and stir until the pieces are sufficiently warmed up (taste test).
    • Add an extra tablespoon of olive oil to the bottom of the pan to prevent the chicken from drying alongside any remaining bits of pan gravy.
    • Another great way to use leftover chicken is by making a healthy, flavorful chicken salad from the shredded chicken meat and chicken mayo sandwiches or adding them to nourishing soups.

    Make it a festive dinner for the Holidays—Menu suggestion

    This cast-iron roast chicken recipe is always a hit with my family—it's a favorite for sure, especially for Sunday dinner.

    And if you are celebrating the Holidays with a smaller group of people, then this festive chicken dinner can easily replace Turkey without getting any complaints—or think Christmas or New Years' table.

    So, here is a lovely entertaining dinner idea—just a suggestion—for when you have company over or want to make something extraordinary without feeling rushed or stressed.

    • Make this easy delicious coffee chocolate mousse a day in advance. It takes only 15 minutes, and then let it chill overnight—dessert is done!
    • This whole roasted Chicken with Brie and grapes is prepped in 10 minutes.
    • So while it's in the oven, you can prepare your table and a healthy vegetable side dish while sipping on your favorite mocktail.
    • And if you really want to impress, you can make either my red Kuri squash soup or healthy butternut squash-zucchini soup in advance and simply reheat it as an appetizer.
    • Don't forget to check out my simple cranberry-clementine sauce or rhubarb compote that you can make two weeks in advance if you really want to offer it as an extra side—but not necessary.

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    Have questions? Simply comment below or message me. If you make this recipe, please leave a comment and a starred review below. Thank you!


    📖 Recipe

    One whole roasted browned chicken in a cast-iron pan with pan juices.

    Unique Roasted Whole Chicken

    Mariska Ramondino
    A deliciously and beautifully-browned whole roast chicken with garlicky, oily grape pan juices and stuffed with creamy Brie—perfect for family dinners and festive enough for the Holidays.
    5 from 3 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate this Recipe
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 1 hr
    Total Time 1 hr 10 mins
    Course Main Courses
    Cuisine Italian

    Equipment

    • Cast iron skillet
    Servings 6 servings

    Ingredients
     

    • ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil plus more to grease the oven-safe skillet
    • 1 whole chicken 4 to 5 pounds (1.8 to 2.3 kilos)
    • Sea or Kosher salt 2 to 3 teaspoons or more to taste
    • 1 head garlic
    • ½ cup packed cubed Brie 98 grams
    • 1 large yellow onion coarsely chopped (290 grams)
    • 2 cups whole black seedless grapes 315 grams
    • 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning*
    • Freshly ground black pepper
    • 3 sprigs rosemary

    Instructions
     

    • Arrange a rack in the center of your oven, and preheat to 425 °F/ 220 °C
    • Take a large oven-safe skillet (I use a cast-iron skillet) and rub a small amount of oil onto the pan (one tablespoon should be enough); set aside.
    • Thoroughly pat-dry the whole chicken with paper towels which will help with browning.
    • Transfer the chicken breast side up to the reserved oven-safe skillet.
      A pat-dry whole chicken in a cast iron pan.
    • Season every surface of the chicken generously with salt, including inside the wings.
      A hand seasoning a whole raw chicken with salt.
    • Rub some salt inside the cavity. I use 2 to 3 teaspoons of salt to season the whole chicken. As you season the chicken in the skillet, some of the oil will rub off the chicken, which is okay.
      A hand seasoning the cavity of a whole raw chicken with salt.
    • Cut the head of garlic crosswise in half. Arrange one half cut side down in skillet (I always use the bottom part). Take the garlic pieces out of the other (top) half, and arrange them inside the chicken cavity.
    • Arrange the onion pieces around the chicken in the oven-safe skillet. Stuff some inside the cavity.
      A raw whole chicken stuffed and seasoned in a cast-iron pan.
    • With the chicken breast facing up, slice partly through the skin that connects the legs to the breast (see picture). Season the meat inside also with some salt. You will use these openings for the Brie filling.
      A raw whole chicken stuffed and seasoned in a cast-iron pan.
    • Take the pieces of Brie and arrange them between the chicken legs, wings, and a few pieces inside the cavity.
    • Now arrange the grapes around the chicken and on top of the onions and garlic in the oven-safe skillet. Stuff some pieces inside the cavity.
      A raw whole chicken stuffed and seasoned in a cast-iron pan.
    • Season the onions and grapes with a few extra pinches of salt.
    • Then season the chicken evenly with Italian seasoning.
      A hand seasoning a whole chicken in a cast iron pan.
    • Season everything generously with black pepper
      Someone adding pepper with a pepper mill to a whole seasoned chicken in a cast iron pan.
    • Drizzle ¼ cup of extra-virgin olive oil over the chicken.
      A hand pouring olive oil over a raw whole seasoned and stuffed chicken in a cast iron pan.
    • Arrange the fresh Rosemary sprigs in the pan around the chicken.
      A raw whole chicken stuffed and seasoned in a cast-iron pan.
    • Transfer to the oven and roast until the chicken is beautifully browned and done. Count 15 minutes per pound of chicken, so for a 4 pound of chicken, roast for 1 hour.
      One whole roasted browned chicken in a cast-iron pan with pan juices.
    • To check for doneness, I carefully remove the skillet from the oven and check between the cut leg joints. It needs more time if you see any pinkish colors.
    • Let it rest for a few minutes before carving and serving.
    • The pan juices will be incredibly flavorful and should be served together with the meat or any side dishes like mashed potatoes or cauliflower mash.
      A spoon holding pan juices from a cast-iron skilled with a whole roasted chicken.
    • Remove the Rosemary leaves. Crumble some of the dried needles and place them back into the pan (optional)
    • Serve with olive oil and grape juices on top of the meat, some roasted garlic on the side, and divide some of the more buttery Brie pieces.
      One whole roasted browned chicken in a cast-iron pan with pan juices.
    • This beautiful roasted whole chicken recipe is unique enough to serve on festive occasions—think chicken for Thanksgiving or Christmas!

    Notes

    *If you don't have Italian seasoning, replace it with 1 teaspoon of dried oregano, 1 teaspoon of dried basil, and 1 teaspoon of dried marjoram. These are all beautiful herbs to season the chicken.
    Helpful Tips
    • Some whole chickens are sold with giblet parts. Season them with salt and pepper and place in the oven-save skillet alongside the chicken—these parts deliciously flavor in the pan juices and become soft, delicate treats.
    • If it's a good Brie, you don't need to remove the rinds; it's edible, but you won't taste it in this recipe.
    • I count about 15 minutes of oven time per pound of chicken. My chicken always turns out beautifully browned with crispy skin and wonderful flavors but still juicy inside.
    • Leftovers: I usually cut and shred the meat and bone pieces, then simply reheat them over medium-high heat on the stove in a skillet with extra olive oil. It makes the chicken pieces super crispy.

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    Nutrition (% Daily value)

    Calories: 229kcal (11%)Carbohydrates: 15g (5%)Protein: 8g (16%)Fat: 16g (25%)Saturated Fat: 4g (25%)Polyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 9gTrans Fat: 0.02gCholesterol: 29mg (10%)Sodium: 94mg (4%)Potassium: 277mg (8%)Fiber: 4g (17%)Sugar: 1g (1%)Vitamin A: 171IU (3%)Vitamin C: 3mg (4%)Calcium: 80mg (8%)Iron: 1mg (6%)

    Disclaimer: This nutritional data is calculated using third party tools and is only intended as a reference.

    Tried this recipe? PIN it for laterMention @mychefsapron or tag #mychefsapron!
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. C says

      October 28, 2022 at 2:53 pm

      5 stars
      This is truly a delicious recipe. I even accidentally put too much Oregano and it was still good 🥰

      Reply
      • Mariska Ramondino says

        October 28, 2022 at 6:19 pm

        So happy to read that you like it, and I so appreciate the rating and feedback. It's a pretty forgiving recipe;)

        Reply
    2. Kristine Nicole Alessandra says

      September 20, 2020 at 7:34 am

      This looks really good. I don't think I will wait for the holidays to make this. I am getting the ingredients I need tomorrow so I can make this for my family the soonest time!

      Reply
    3. Marie Phillips says

      September 17, 2020 at 1:04 pm

      This looks like the perfect comfort food. I can taste the tender chicken as I read through the recipe and can't wait to try it!

      Reply
    4. YtheWait says

      September 17, 2020 at 5:31 am

      This is absolutely amazing!

      Reply
    5. Lucy Clarke says

      September 17, 2020 at 5:16 am

      This would be such a wonderful addition to our holiday menu! It looks so hearty and satisfying.

      Reply
    6. Emman Damian says

      September 17, 2020 at 4:46 am

      Dang! I want to cook my own Whole Roasted Chicken filled with creamy Brie! Your recipe sounds so yummy! I'm drooling right now. Can't wait to cook it on weekends with my family.

      Reply
    7. Gervin Khan says

      September 15, 2020 at 11:04 pm

      Wow, this roasted chicken recipe is so delicious and the procedure of making it is so easy to follow. I am going to add this on our menu tonight for dinner. Thank you!

      Reply
    8. Heather says

      September 15, 2020 at 8:58 pm

      OMG this whole roasted chicken looks so good. I can't wait to try this recipe.

      Reply
    9. Claudia says

      September 15, 2020 at 1:21 pm

      This is the most high class chicken recipe I've ever seen! I love all that brie and grape action. It's so decadent.

      Reply
    10. Brianne says

      September 15, 2020 at 1:14 pm

      That sounds absolutely amazing! There's so much cheesy goodness here.

      Reply
    11. Matt Taylor says

      September 15, 2020 at 11:38 am

      This chicken recipe looks amazing! And you can't go wrong with Brie. I can't wait to try it out sometime.

      Reply

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