Provencal Herb Roasted Chicken: is renowned for its emphasis on fresh, high-quality ingredients and simple yet flavorful preparations. It draws inspiration from the Mediterranean climate, incorporating aromatic herbs, olive oil, and a variety of vegetables into its dishes.
Pro Cooking Tip about Olive Oil:
Why just regular Olive Oil? Whey not Extra Virgin Olive Oil?
Let me explain:
Regular Olive Oil for Cooking:
Regular or pure olive oil, with a higher smoke point, is often used for cooking and frying. Its more neutral flavor and ability to withstand higher temperatures make it suitable for sautéing, roasting, and other cooking methods.
EVOO as a Finishing Oil:
Extra Virgin Olive Oil, prized for its exceptional flavor and lower smoke point, is frequently used as a finishing oil. It is drizzled over dishes just before serving to impart its unique taste and aroma without subjecting it to high heat. This preserves the nuances of the oil and adds a final touch to salads, grilled vegetables, pasta, and various other dishes.
So now you know 🙂
Why Herb Roasted Chicken works:
- Roasting the chicken at a high temperature ensures a crispy skin and a short cooking time.
- Rubbing the herb butter under and over the skin helps to keep the meat moist and infuse it with flavor.
- Adding lemon, garlic, and onion to the cavity of the chicken adds more aroma and taste to the dish.
- Resting the chicken for 10 minutes after roasting allows the juices to redistribute and the meat to relax.

Herb Roasted Chicken Tips and Tricks:
- Use a meat thermometer to check the doneness of the chicken. It should read 165°F when inserted into the thickest part of the thigh.
- Use any fresh herbs you like for the herb butter, such as rosemary, thyme, sage, or parsley.
- You can also roast some vegetables along with the chicken, such as potatoes, carrots, or parsnips. Just toss them with some oil, salt, pepper, and herbs and arrange them around the chicken in the baking dish.
- Enjoy the leftover chicken in sandwiches, salads, soups, or casseroles. You can also make a delicious chicken stock with the bones and scraps.
Provencal Herb-Roasted Chicken: Mediterranean Bliss Unleashed
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 chicken quarters or 8 bone-in skin-on chicken thighs
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ½ to ¾ cup all-purpose flour
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons herbes de Provence
- 1 lemon quartered
- 8 to 10 cloves garlic peeled
- 4 to 6 medium-size shallots peeled and halved
- ⅓ cup dry vermouth
- 4 sprigs of thyme for serving
- salt as you prefer
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Sprinkle some salt and pepper over the chicken pieces.
- Place some flour on a flat plate and coat the chicken lightly with it, tapping off any extra flour.
- In a large roasting pan, swirl the oil and place the chicken coated with flour. Sprinkle the herbes de Provence over the chicken.
- Scatter the lemon, garlic cloves and shallots around the chicken, then pour the vermouth into the pan.
- Place the pan inside the oven and let it roast for 25 to 30 minutes. After that, spoon the juices from the pan over the chicken.
- Roast it for another 25 to 30 minutes, or until the chicken skin is very crispy and the meat reaches a temperature of 165℉ or 71℃.
- Serve garnished with a few sprigs of thyme.