Roast Chicken

By Mark Bittman

Updated Dec. 16, 2024

• Total Time: 50 to 60 minutes

• Rating: 5 (9,991 reviews)

• Comments: 312 comments read

Featuring a minimalist ingredient list of just four items—chicken, olive oil, salt, and pepper—this no-fuss roast chicken owes its brilliance to its method. To prepare it, thoroughly preheat a cast-iron skillet, then place a seasoned chicken (breast side up) into the hot pan. In less than an hour, you’ll be rewarded with a spectacular result: moist, tender white meat, crispy salty skin, and juicy dark meat—all cooked to perfection.

If you don’t yet own a cast-iron skillet large enough to accommodate a whole chicken, this recipe alone justifies the investment.

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