Not only can one roasted whole chicken save you time by being the base of for about 3-4 meals, it can also better help you stick to the grocery budget! Whole chickens are by far the most economical way to purchase chicken. With a little pre-planning, taking the meat from the roasted chicken and shredding it can save you tons of time to get several delicious, home-cooked meals on the table through the week.
How to Roast A Whole Chicken
For all methods below, remove giblet pack (save it for homemade stock), pat excess moisture off of the chicken using a paper towel, and season the chicken with salt and pepper including inside the cavity.
Traditional Oven Method: Cook approximately 20 minutes per pound at 350°F.
Slow Cooker: Make a ring of foil and place in the bottom of the slow cooker bowl to keep the chicken off of the bottom. Place the chicken breast side up in slow cooker, cover with lid and cook on low for 6-8 hours (exact time may depend on weight).
Instant Pot: Follow recommended manufacturer's directions for best method but should only take approximately 30 minutes to cook the whole chicken,
Grill: Preheat grill to about 350-375°F, and create an indirect heat zone to place the chicken for cooking. Grill the whole chicken for 60-75 minutes.
No matter which method you choose, make sure the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F with an instant read thermometer.
Times may need to be adjusted due to variations in available equipment.
Suggested Meals Utilizing Roasted Chicken
1. White Chicken Enchiladas with Creamy Green Chili Sauce. Use 2 cups of shredded chicken with some cream cheese and shredded Monterey Jack cheese. The creamy green chili sauce is out of this world!
2. Chicken Turnip Kale Casserole. The bacon and Parmigiano-Reggiano really set this casserole apart and help elevate the shredded chicken and veggies.
3. Chicken, Roasted Red Pepper & Spinach Cast-Iron Skillet Pizza. A cast iron pizza is the ultimate in pan pizzas and creates an amazingly crispy crust! Plan on this pleasing pie for your next pizza night.
4. Chicken and Dumplings. Chef Mark Phillips' creamy chicken soup is loaded with flavor and topped with airy little dumplings that make you want to cozy up to a big bowl.
BONUS RECIPE: Save the chicken bones for making a flavorful broth/stock to use in other recipe preparations. Check out our Instant Pot Chicken Broth utilizing the leftover carcass of a roasted chicken. This will freeze well and be available for a variety of dishes down the road!
