My easy buttermilk roasted chicken recipe marinates chicken in a simple buttermilk mixture then roasts it to perfection in the oven!
Introduction
When you think of buttermilk chicken, I bet you think of fried chicken recipes. Well, you can make roasted chicken also, by marinating the chicken, to get an unbelievable flavor and a moist, tender texture. All the flavor, none of the fat!
Ingredients
- 6 chicken breast halves, bone-in
- 3 cups buttermilk well shaken
- 3/4 cup vegetable oil divided
- 4 garlic cloves crushed
- 1 1/2 tablespoons salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons fresh rosemary chopped
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 3 tablespoons fresh parsley chopped (optional)
Tips and Notes
Marinade
The most important thing to do for this roasted chicken to be a success is to plan ahead and marinate it for 2 days. Buttermilk is a slightly more acidic dairy product, so letting your chicken sit in it will let the acid break down the meat, which gives you that wonderfully tender texture later on.
Chicken
Because this recipe roasts the chicken instead of baking it, I think using bone-in chicken with skin on works significantly better. You get far more flavor from the bone, plus it helps keep your chicken moist!
Dark Meat
If you use dark meat chicken pieces, after roasting the chicken for 45 minutes at 400, turn down the oven to 350 and continue to cook until the chicken is done and juices run clear about 7-10 minutes.
Rosemary
Ah, the aromatic herb! I use fresh rosemary when I can — it goes so beautifully with the chicken! — but dried works too. Know that you’ll need to use much less dried herb than you would fresh though. Don’t over-season!
Instructions
- In a bowl, mix together buttermilk (3 cups), 1/2 cup vegetable oil, garlic (4 cloves), salt (1 1/2 tablespoons), pepper (1 teaspoon), rosemary (2 tablespoons), and honey (2 tablespoons) until salt is dissolved.
- Divide the chicken pieces (6) into two 1-gallon ziplock bags. Pour half of the buttermilk mixture in each bag. Press out as much air as possible and seal bags. Place on a rimmed dish or plate in case the bag leaks. Refrigerate overnight or preferably for 2 days. Flip the bag halfway through marinating time.
- Heat oven to 400ºF (204ºC). Take the chicken out of the ziplock bags and place on a wire rack so any extra marinade will drip off. Line a baking pan with aluminum foil and place the chicken in a single layer on the pan. Drizzle chicken with remaining oil. Roast chicken at 400 degrees for 45 minutes, then turn off the oven, and allow the chicken to continue to cook (just in the remaining heat—don’t open the door) for 7-10 minutes more or until chicken is done.
- Allow chicken to rest for about 7-10 minutes then serve.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Easy to make — marinade and roast!
- No messy fryer to deal with
- Perfect chicken every time!
- Goes great with any sides
- Crowd-pleasing WOW!
Storage and Make-Ahead Tips
How Long Can You Keep This In The Fridge? Once fully cooked, this chicken will keep in your fridge for 3-4 days.
Can You Freeze This? Yes, this can be frozen. Thoroughly cool the chicken completely and store it in the freezer for 6 months.
Make-Ahead Tips: This recipe has make-ahead magic built right in! You must let the chicken marinate at least a day, preferably two. So go ahead and let your chicken get cozy in the fridge!
Food Safety: If you’d like more info on food safety check out this link.
Serving Suggestions
My very favorite way to serve this roasted chicken recipe is with some delicious sides! Go for my crockpot creamed corn, au gratin potatoes, brown sugar glazed carrots, roasted green beans, Southern collard greens, smothered potatoes to carry that roasted flavor through.
Add on KFC Coleslaw, cucumber tomato salad, old fashioned carrot salad, a light sweet strawberry spinach salad, or broccoli salad to balance out the baked flavors.
At our dinner table there’s always a side of bread. Try our sweet cornbread, Bisquick cornbread (if you like sweet cornbread, these are the best!), Southern cornbread (if you’re a traditionalist), buttery crescent rolls, cheddar biscuits, 7-up biscuits, cathead biscuits, butter swim biscuits, or easy Bisquick biscuits.
Your dinner guests will be satisfied and happy!