How to Make a Better-Than Average Roast Chicken

It’s easy to roast a chicken. It’s not so easy to roast one well. Sure, people think they have nailed the roast chicken but, honestly, I’ve tasted a lot of pretty average efforts over the years. There are some basic things to avoid when having a go at the humble bird. Remember these mistakes. Avoid them. There’s nothing better than a chicken roasted to perfection.

MISTAKE NUMBER ONE: buying free-range chicken from the supermarket. There are enormous grey areas when it comes to labelling meat and what large retailers get away with. I won’t get into that in too much detail, except to say that the term “free-range” gets tossed around pretty loosely nowadays. Seek out a chicken with as much care and thought as if you were buying a prime rib. Ask as many questions and show as much concern. There isn’t much room to hide when making roast chicken. It really does start with finding a good bird.