Unfussy roast chicken is my one of my regular Sunday family dinners. This roast chicken recipe only calls for butter, salt and pepper and is WORTH THE POT! I always serve it with mashed potatoes and buttered corn.

How has it been 5 years and I’m simply now writing a post on how to roast a chicken?

C’mon now?! I mean what kind of blog is this? I have not one excuse but here we are; one bird, one pan and lots of butter. Which is my kind of recipe.

Roasting chicken has got to be the most unfussy of things to make. It’s elegant enough for semi-formal gatherings yet rustic enough for a stick to your ribs family dinner. It takes minutes to prep and about an hour in the oven. Plus, no trussing is required. I like it.

This is a no frills, no fuss roasted chicken. You can however feel free to get all fancy and stuff the cavity with different citrus, garlic and herbs for a subtle flavor enhancement. But I only needed to roast this chicken for another recipe so I kept is simple and straightforward and then decided to blog about it.

So you’ll need a chicken. Obviously. About 4 to 5 pounds will do.

Then you’ll also need a kosher salt, black pepper (mine is a medium grind), truly soft butter and 12-inch cast iron skillet. I like roasting chicken in a cast iron skillet, but a 9×13 baking dish or small roasting pan will work simply fine. Also, because sanitation is important, I place the salt and pepper into small bowls so I don’t contaminate my salt box or my pepper jar with my grody chicken fingers.

First things first, do NOT forget to pull the package of giblets out of the chicken cavity. You can pitch those or add them into the gravy or stuffing, it’s up to you. Then pat the whole thing dry with paper towel.

First, drop four tablespoons of especially-soft butter onto your chicken and spreading it all over the entire thing, massaging it into the skin and in those nooks and crannies. And equally important is soft butter! Using especially soft butter makes it easier to spread. If the chicken is truly cold still, it will harden the butter a bit. So remember: warm hands + warm butter = good! Cold hands + cold butter = no good.

side note: This picture makes me laugh.

So does this one. Ha!

Season the inside and the outside of the chicken with lots of kosher salt and black pepper. I don’t even measure it. Simply let it rain! Then place the chicken, breast side up into the 12-inch cast iron pan.

Next, slide the chicken on the lowest possible rack in a preheated 400 degree oven and roast.

A chicken 3 to 5 pounds typically takes 50-60 minutes. But a digital thermometer inserted in the thickest part should read 165 degrees, the legs should be loose and wiggly and the juices clear.

Isn’t she pretty?

If you’re feeling extra naughty you could drizzle a little of the buttery drippings all over top. uhhh-YUM.

You can now transfer the straightforward roast chicken to a cutting board to rest under tented foil for about 10-15 minutes. If you’re up to it, you can make a gravy by separating the fat from the liquids, taking a few tablespoons of both fat and flour and adding them to a pan, whisking together to make a roux. Cook the roux for 3 to 4 minutes, then pour in any accumulated juices, a cup or so of broth, salt, pepper and some herbs; simmer for a few until thick and POOF! Gravy, baby.

Or don’t. Whatevs.

That crispy skin is the GO-TO. Gimme all the chicken skin please and thank you.

Slice and serve this straightforward roast chicken or shred, save for later. Did you know you can freeze it for up to 2 to 3 months? Having roasted chicken on hand for soup, salads or things like enchiladas genuinely will save you time in the kitchen. And it truly only takes a little over an hour out of your day. You could go take a nap, read a chapter or two of your book or paint your nails. Once it’s in the oven your work is done.