Ghee Roasted Chicken Recipe | Easy Roast Whole Chicken

Ghee Roasted Chicken is one of the best chicken recipes. With four simple ingredients needed, you’ll have tender and juicy chicken paired with that unmistakable flavor of ghee. Pair with your favorite side dish – and enjoy!

ghee roasted chicken in cast iron pan from overhead

There are so many various forms and options for cooking chicken. What I love about this authentic home style chicken dish is that it’s straightforward, and it lets the flavor of the ghee be the subtle star of the show.

The use of ghee adds a fun flavor, transforming this simple chicken dish into an exotic chicken dish just like that. One of the main things about this cooked chicken recipe is that it’s versatile in how you can serve it. Pair it with white rice, roasted potatoes, and fresh green beans, or let this easy recipe stand on its own.

Speaking of simple chicken dishes, be sure to give this Cilantro Lime Chicken Salad and this Keto Chicken Cauliflower Casserole a try. Both are unique yet delicious options, loaded with great flavor.

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ghee roasted chicken sliced and served on plate with green beans close up

Ingredients

Whole chicken – Grab one at the store or local butcher.
Ghee – This adds flavor to the dish.
Salt – To enhance the natural flavors.
Black pepper – For added taste.

The printable recipe card below has all the steps needed to get started.

hand holding measuring cup of clarified butter

How to Make Ghee Roasted Chicken

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Step One: Rub the outside of the entire chicken and also underneath the skin with ghee. Keep rubbing until you use up any remaining ghee.

Step Two: Add the salt and pepper to the cavity of the chicken. Season the skin as well.

raw whole chicken with salt and pepper in cast iron skillet

Step Three: Put a cast iron skillet or roasting pan with the chicken in it into the oven and roast for 90 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 160 degrees.

roast chicken with ghee in cast iron pan

Step Four: Let the ghee roast chicken rest for 10 minutes before serving.

Top Tip💡

To get an accurate internal temperature reading, insert the meat thermometer tip into the thickest part of the chicken breast. Make sure that you are away from any bones as that will cause a false reading.

Substitutions

Chicken – You can also use this cooking method to fry various parts of the chicken in a cast iron pan. The best part of this ghee roasted recipe is that you can use it to cook the whole chicken, or you can use it to cook boneless chicken as well. Just know that the cooking times will change based on the cut of poultry you choose.

Variations

Spices – Once the ghee is added, you can spice it up! Since ghee is an Indian ingredient it makes sense to go with a chicken curry flavor. Some options might be dry red chillies, red chilli powder, masala paste, turmeric powder, tamarind paste, fennel seeds, ginger garlic paste, and more. (You can even make your own garam masala spice mixture by combining whole spices like whole cloves, cumin seeds, coriander seeds, fenugreek seeds, in a coffee grinder or small food processor).

See this Chicken Thigh Curry for a fun example of how versatile cooking chicken can be!

Equipment

To make this traditional recipe, you’ll need a high-rimmed baking sheet or roasting pan and a meat thermometer. You’ll be amazed at how simple this ghee roasted chicken recipe is from the first time you make it!

Storage

Leftovers of this cold weather favorite are simple to store. Let the chicken cool to room temperature, and then store any leftovers in an airtight container. For the best results, reheat and eat within 2-3 days.

Common Questions

What is the best way to serve this simple chicken dish?

I like to serve the cooked chicken with mashed cauliflower and fresh veggies. You can also serve with plain rice, brown rice, mashed potatoes, or pasta as well. The flavor of this original recipe is subtle and does a great job of pairing it with just about any option.

Can I use leftovers for other chicken recipes?

You bet! Leftover cooked chicken would be great to use in chicken salad or as an addition to a simple chicken casserole. The flavor makes this versatile and gives you tons of options.

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