Easy Dutch Oven Roast Chicken Recipe

If you’re looking for the perfect dutch oven roast chicken recipe that takes the intimidation out cooking a whole chicken, why not try this Easy Dutch Oven Roast Chicken Recipe, featuring nutrient rich pasture raised chicken – the perfect solution for a delicious dinner the whole family will love! If this is your first time cooking a whole chicken, this step-by-step recipe is the perfect place to start as it promises to take the intimidation out of the process. And the best part? Leftovers that can be turned into a hearty chicken soup with a nourishing bone broth base! Make it a complete meal by pairing this roasted chicken recipe with buttery mashed potatoes, and roasted Brussels sprouts. 

The Perks of Cooking with a Cast Iron Dutch Oven

Consistent Heat Distribution

Cast Iron’s remarkable ability to retain and evenly distribute heat makes it the best way to ensure your meal turns out perfectly. Whether you’re simmering, roasting, or frying, cast iron maintains a steady and even temperature, resulting in dishes that are tender and flavorful.

Versatility

Cast iron cookware can seamlessly transition from stovetop to oven, making it suitable for a variety of cooking methods, including frying, baking, sautéing, and roasting.

Unmatched Durability

Cast iron cookware can seamlessly transition from stovetop to oven, making it suitable for a variety of cooking methods, including frying, baking, sautéing, and roasting.

Pasture Raised vs Free Range Chicken

You’ll notice this recipe calls for pasture raised chicken. While this is not an absolute must of course, there are many benefits to choosing pasture raised meats, beginning with a superior nutrient profile.
I first learned about the Pastured Poultry Model when I heard an interview with none other than Joel Salatin, American farmer, author, speaker, and owner of Polyface Farm. Read more about the Pastured Poultry Model here.

Nutrient Density

Pasture-raised chickens roam freely on open pasture, foraging for a natural diet that includes insects, seeds, and plants. This varied diet translates to a richer nutrient content in the meat, offering higher levels of essential vitamins and minerals.

Pasture-raised chicken is particularly rich in:

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

 The chicken’s natural foraging diet enhances the omega-3 fatty acid content in the meat. Omega-3’s are supportive of all the cells of the body, but are particularly helpful in supporting eye and brain health. 

Vitamin A as Retinol

The materials pasture raised chickens forage on contain carotenes, a plant-sourced vitamin-A, which the chicken turns into retinol, a more bio-available form of vitamin A. Vitamin A is an important antioxidants that supports immune function and promotes healthy skin and vision.

B Vitamins

Including B12, B6, niacin, and riboflavin, essential for energy metabolism, red blood cell formation, and nervous system health.

Minerals

Pasture-raised chicken provides an excellent source of minerals such as iron, zinc, and selenium, which are supportive of immune and thyroid function, and wound repair.

Environmental and Ethical Considerations:

Opting for pasture-raised chicken is not only beneficial for personal health but also a better for the environment and animal welfare. Pasture-raised farming practices prioritize the well-being of the chickens and promote sustainable agriculture.

Environmental Impact

Pasture-raised farming methods reduce the environmental footprint associated with conventional chicken farming. Chickens play a role in regenerating the soil as they forage and fertilize, contributing to healthier ecosystems.

Ethical Treatment

 Pasture-raised chickens enjoy a more humane and natural life. They have access to open spaces, fresh air, and sunlight, which is not only ethically sound but also results in happier, healthier animals.

Flavor and Texture

The benefits of choosing pasture-raised chicken extend beyond nutrition and ethics; they also influence the flavor and texture of your roast chicken. Pasture-raised chicken tends to have a distinct flavor and firmer texture. The combination of a varied diet and increased physical activity contributes to a far richer flavor.

Easy Dutch Oven Roast Chicken Recipe

Ingredients

• 3.5-5lb chicken, ideally pasture raised
• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• ½ teaspoon paprika
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
• ¼ teaspoon sea salt 
• 1 small onion, quartered
• 3-4 garlic cloves 
• 2 to 4 large carrots

Equipment

• 5 quart Dutch Oven
• Parchment Paper
• Meat Thermometer

Instructions

Preheat the Oven

• Before beginning, place the Dutch Oven with the lid on in the oven, adjusting the oven rack height as needed to ensure it will fit.
• Preheat your oven to 425°F (218°C).

Prepare the Dutch Oven

• Line the Dutch Oven with Parchment Paper. This will make for a much easier cleanup
• Peel and quarter the onion
• Peel and lightly crush the garlic cloves
• Peel and chop the carrots in half or quarters, depending on their size
• Place half the onion and the carrots in the bottom of the Dutch oven to create a bed for the chicken, and allow for better airflow, ensuring a nice crispy skin

Prepare the Chicken

• Remove giblets from the chicken cavity and pat the chicken dry with paper towels
• Place the chicken on a cutting board and tie the legs with kitchen twine

Season and Stuff the Chicken

• In a small bowl, mix together the paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, and salt
• Rub the chicken all over with the olive oil
• Sprinkle the spice mixture evenly over the entire surface of the chicken and rub in the seasoning, ensuring the chicken is well-coated
• Peel and quarter the onion
• Peel and lightly crush the garlic cloves
• Chop or break the carrot sticks in half
• Stuff the chicken with half the onion and the garlic cloves

Place the Chicken in the Dutch Oven

• Lay chicken on top of the vegetables in the Dutch oven, breast side up

Roast the Chicken

• Place the Dutch oven, uncovered, in the preheated oven
• Roast the chicken for about 1 hour and 15 minutes
•  Remove the lid from the Dutch oven and continue roasting uncovered for an additional 30 minutes or until the skin is golden-brown and crispy, and the internal temperature at the thickest part of the thigh, as measured by a meat thermometer, reaches 165°F (74°C).
• If it looks like the onions and carrots are beginning to burn, add a splash of broth to the bottom of the pot

Allow the Chicken to Rest

• Once an internal temperature of  165°F (74°C) has been reached, remove it from the oven and let it rest in the Dutch oven for about 10-15 minutes before carving.

Serve and Ejoy!

• Carve the chicken and serve.
• This Dutch oven chicken recipe, pairs beautifully with side dishes like roasted Brussels Sprouts, and creamy mashed potatoes.

Recipe Notes

•  Just like roasting a turkey, cooking time will depend on the size of the chicken. The chicken is done when it has reached an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
• Storing leftovers: Leftover chicken will keep in the fridge for 3-4 days, or 3-4 months in the freezer. Consider saving the skin, bones and pan drippings to turn it into a nourishing bone broth.

Conclusion

Incorporating pasture-raised chicken into your Easy Dutch Oven Roast Chicken recipe transforms this easy dinner into a nutrient-rich feast. Not only does it enhance the flavor and texture of the chicken, but it helps support sustainable and ethical farming practices. So next time you consider making a roast chicken, consider the source of your poultry and savor the difference that pasture-raised meat can make. 

More Dutch Oven Recipes:

• Best Pot Roast Recipe With Savory Japanese Sweet Potatoes