Easy Lemon and Herb Roasted Chicken

When we have no time to cook during a busy week, picking up a rotisserie chicken on the way home seems like the ideal (and quickest) solution. In so many families, Mom and Dad (and Titi and Abuela) spend full days away from home and easy and inexpensive dinners are essential to keep the family happy (and sane!). But while store bought chicken is certainly a fast alternative, it isn’t necessarily the healthiest. So why not prep your own delicious roasted chicken at home and leave it ready for your mealtime?

Though it may sound time consuming or daunting, roasting a whole chicken requires nothing more than a few minutes of prep time and an afternoon in the oven, supervision free. Making your own chicken ensures the best quality ingredients and no unwanted ingredients – you control the fat, the salt, and the flavoring.

A few things to keep in mind: make sure to account for everyone’s preferences. Since you won’t be picking up a combination of legs or thighs, remember to make enough chicken to go around. In my family, we’re all leg fans, so I often make two chickens. Also, take a few minutes to plan leftover meals. You can shred the chicken for salads, sandwiches, tacos, or fajitas and use the rest for homemade chicken stock. Pick up everything you need when you buy your chicken. And bonus: you can roast the chicken on a Sunday (or whatever free night you have), and dinner is taken care of for a week.