One Pot Lemon Herb Roasted Chicken

A cozy, nutrient-packed dinner that’s simple enough for a weeknight and flavorful enough to impress.

There’s something so grounding about a one-pot meal—especially when it fills your home with the smell of lemon, herbs, and roasted veggies.

This is one of my go-to recipes when I want something nourishing, easy to prep, and packed with flavor. I usually make it in the afternoon when I have some downtime and pop it in the oven about an hour before James gets home from work. It’s the kind of dish that feels cozy and comforting, but also light and energizing—like real food should.

If you’re new to roasting a whole chicken, don’t be intimidated. This is a perfect beginner-friendly recipe to start with. You’ll feel confident, accomplished, and nourished all in one bite.

Why I Love One-Pot Meals (Especially This One)

As a health coach, I’m a big believer in keeping things simple, satisfying, and supportive to your body. One-pot meals like this help me check all three boxes.

Here’s what I love about this dish:
• Nutrient Diversity: I pack the pot with a rainbow of veggies—sweet potatoes, carrots, celery, onions, mushrooms—for a wide spectrum of vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients. (Bonus points for using multicolored carrots and red + orange sweet potatoes!)
• Healthy Fats: The grass-fed butter and optional drizzle of honey not only add flavor, but also support satiety and hormone health.
• Pasture-Raised Chicken: Opting for organic or pasture-raised chicken boosts your intake of omega-3s, B vitamins, and protein—and reduces your exposure to harmful antibiotics or hormones.
• Herbs as Medicine: I use both dried and fresh herbs (parsley, oregano, basil, thyme, rosemary) for flavor and anti-inflammatory benefits. Plus, lemon adds vitamin C and brightness to the dish.
And perhaps best of all—minimal cleanup.

One Pot Lemon Herb Roasted Chicken

Serves: 4-6 | Prep Time: 20 min | Cook Time: 1.5 hours | Total Time: ~2 hours

Ingredients:
• 1 whole chicken (2-4 lbs)
• 1 sweet potato, chopped (I like using red or orange varieties)
• 1/2 red onion, sliced
• 4-5 celery stalks, chopped
• 5-6 whole carrots, chopped (use a mix of colors if possible)
• 1 carton shiitake mushrooms
• 1 lemon (zest + juice)
• 2-4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil or chicken bone broth (my go-to swap!)
• 1 stick grass-fed butter, softened
• Salt and cracked black pepper to taste
• Dried parsley, oregano, basil, and thyme to taste
• Fresh basil, rosemary, and thyme
• Optional: Honey (for drizzling), Butcher’s twine

Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
2. Remove chicken from the fridge ~30 minutes before cooking. Pat it dry with paper towels (this helps the skin crisp up). Set aside.
3. Chop your sweet potato, onion, celery, carrots, and mushrooms. Add them to a large Dutch oven or baking dish. Drizzle with EVOO (or pour in chicken bone broth) and toss with salt, pepper, dried herbs, and the juice of half a lemon.
4. In a small bowl, mix the softened butter with lemon zest, salt, and pepper.
5. Place the chicken on top of the veggies. Stuff the cavity with fresh rosemary, basil, and thyme (you can tie them together with butcher’s twine).
6. Gently separate the chicken skin from the breast with your fingers or a spoon. Spread half the lemon butter under the skin, and the other half on top.
7. (Optional) Drizzle the top with honey for added crispiness and sweetness.
8. Roast uncovered for 1.5 hours, or until the internal temp reaches 165°F. Let it rest for ~15 minutes before carving.
9. Serve chicken with the roasted veggies and enjoy!

Tips & Serving Suggestions

• This dish is amazing for meal prep. I carve the leftover chicken and pack it with roasted veggies for James’ lunches throughout the week.
• If you prefer crispier skin, you can broil the chicken for the last 3–5 minutes—just keep an eye on it!
• You can easily swap the veggies based on what you have on hand—just keep it colorful.

Ready for More Nourishment?

If this recipe made you feel grounded, energized, or inspired—good. That’s the intention behind everything I share.

And if you’re ready to take back control of your health, feel confident in your body again, and get the personalized support you deserve—I’d love to meet you.

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