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Lemon & Thyme Roast Chicken

Recipe by Harry Heal on InstagramAdded 1 August 2026.

15 minutes to prep, 1 hour to cook. A classic Sunday roast that combines bright lemon citrus with aromatic fresh thyme, yielding a juicy chicken with golden, crisp skin—perfect for a comforting family dinner.

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Lemon & Thyme Roast Chicken by Harry Heal, a frame from the Instagram video

Method

  1. Preheat the oven to 425°F (425°F).

  2. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels; season the cavity with ½ tsp salt and ¼ tsp black pepper.

    Kitchen notes · Added by ReelsMeals: Chicken skin and cavity are dry. Dry skin helps it brown in the oven.

  3. Stuff the cavity with the halved lemon and the 4 sprigs of fresh thyme.

  4. Tuck the wing tips under the body and tie the legs together with kitchen twine to ensure even cooking.

  5. Brush the outside of the chicken with 2 tbsp olive oil, then rub the remaining salt and pepper over the skin.

  6. Place the chicken breast‑side up on a roasting rack set in a roasting pan.

  7. Roast for about 60 minutes, or until a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh reads 165°F (165°F) and the skin is golden and crisp.

    Kitchen notes · Added by ReelsMeals: Skin is crisp and thigh reaches the stated temperature. Check the thickest thigh without touching bone.

  8. Remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest on a cutting board for 10 minutes before carving and serving.

    Kitchen notes · Added by ReelsMeals: Juices settle before carving. Resting helps keep the sliced meat moist.

Tips while you cook

Dry the chicken first
Pat the chicken dry with paper towels before seasoning the cavity.
Season the cavity
Season the cavity with half a teaspoon of salt and a quarter teaspoon of black pepper before stuffing.
Stuff with lemon and thyme
Place the halved lemon and all four thyme sprigs inside the cavity prior to roasting.
Rest before carving
Let the roasted chicken rest on a cutting board for 10 minutes before carving.

Notes from ReelsMeals, based on this recipe's ingredients, times and method. They are not the creator's instructions.

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The recipe comes from Harry Heal’s Instagram reel. ReelsMeals wrote it down from the caption and the voiceover. Check the original if something looks off, and for anything about allergens.

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Roast chicken, 7 ways

Seven creators posted their own. Most use lemon, olive oil, dijon mustard and chicken stock.

  1. Zachary Neman1 hr 35 min11 ingr.Only this one uses shallots, honey and roasted garlic
  2. Harry Heal1 hr 15 min6 ingr.Oven
  3. Max Jarmey55 min20 ingr.Only this one uses turmeric powder, fenugreek leaves and ginger
  4. Lelo Lemons1 hr 20 min13 ingr.Only this one uses onion, fennel and fennel seeds
  5. Cosford Kitchen1 hr 20 min9 ingr.Only this one uses orange peel
  6. Tyler Butt1 hr 5 min17 ingr.Only this one uses new potatoes, carrots and sage leaves
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