Cajun Whole Roast Chicken – Immaculate Bites

Why Whole Cajun Roast Chicken Is Awesome

We already covered how delicious this recipe is, but there are more reasons I love this oven-roasted whole chicken and potatoes. With just a few ingredients, you’ve got an entire meal. Prep time is quick, and cooking is super hands-off, making this a great recipe for all my busy mamas out there. Plus, this recipe is super economical. You can get a whole chicken for as little as a few dollars!

Recipe Ingredients

1. Whole Chicken – Smaller chickens will take less time to cook, and larger chickens will take longer. You can even use a Cornish hen to make a mini whole Cajun chicken.
2. Spices – Creole salt, bouillon powder, minced garlic, onion powder, thyme, oregano, basil, smoked paprika, white pepper, and cayenne pepper all come together to make this chicken off-the-charts delicious.
3. Veggies – Onions, potatoes, and carrots roast along with the chicken basting in its juices, making this a one-dish meal if you like.

How to Roast Whole Cajun Chicken

Prepare the Chicken

• Prep Chicken – Rub inside and out the chicken with salt, white pepper, and bouillon powder, and set aside.
• Prepare the Marinade – In a small pan set over medium-low heat, combine oil or butter, minced garlic, herbs, paprika, onion, and cayenne pepper. Stir for 30 seconds to a minute.
• Steep – Let this mixture sit for a little bit, about 5 minutes.
• Marinate Chicken – Then, generously rub the chicken with a spice combination and refrigerate it until you are ready to cook.

Roast the Chicken and Veggies

• Assemble Ingredients – Add onions to a roasting pan or cast iron, and then place the chicken, breast-side up.
• Truss the Chicken (or not) – Tie the legs of the chicken together with kitchen twine to help hold its shape.
• Add Veggies – Toss the potatoes and carrots around the chicken.
• More Seasoning – If desired, sprinkle with about a tablespoon or more onion powder.
• Roast at 375℉/190℃ for about an hour and 15 minutes, or until the meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part reaches 165-170℉/74-77℃.
• Baste – Brush the Cajun mixture over the chicken, potatoes, and carrots every 30 minutes.
• Serve – Once cooked through, remove the chicken from the oven and let it stand for 10 minutes before carving.

Recipe Variations

1. Veggie Swap – Instead of potatoes and carrots with baked Cajun chicken, use any veggies you like! Sweet potatoes, Brussels sprouts, bell peppers, mushrooms, and zucchini are all delicious choices. Keep in mind cooking times for some vegetables are shorter than others, so you may want to add softer vegetables to the pan about 15-20 minutes before the chicken is done cooking.
2. Spatchcock It – You can spatchcock the chicken and cook it flatter instead of tying the legs together if you want. Turn the chicken over, so it is breast-side down. Use a knife or a sharp kitchen scissor to cut down both sides of the backbone to remove it. Flip the chicken over and press down firmly to flatten it. This technique helps keep the chicken juicy throughout. Adjust cooking time to about 45 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165-170℉/74-77℃.
3. Poultry Swap – You can totally do this with your Thanksgiving turkey. Simply increase the ingredients for a larger bird and extend the roasting time.

Tips and Tricks

1. If the skin starts to brown too much before the chicken is cooked through, tent the chicken with foil until it is done cooking.
2. Another way to tell your chicken is done is to wiggle the leg. If the leg is loose and flexible, the chicken is likely done. The more Cajun-baked chickens you make, the easier it will get to tell.
3. Before roasting the chicken, rub it with the spice sauce all over, even under the skin. This will help you get that delicious, crisp skin my family always fights over. 😂

Make-Ahead Instructions

You can prep your chicken and cut your vegetables a day in advance. Store them separately in the fridge in airtight containers. When ready to roast, simply put everything in the pan, preheat the oven, and bake.

Serving and Storage Instructions

Serve oven-roasted whole chicken and potatoes along with any other veggies you added hot out of the oven. I also like to enjoy it with a side salad.

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-5 days. You can reheat the leftover chicken in the oven or microwave. If you reheat in the oven, set the temperature to 350℉/177℃, and heat the food until it is just warmed through. Don’t leave it too long, or the chicken will dry out.

FAQs

What to Serve With Whole Roast Chicken

I love to serve this dish with a simple wedge salad and call it dinner. But if you need something more substantial, try adding seasoned rice to the menu.

Bacon-wrapped green beans also go great with baked Cajun chicken or even a side of instant pot black beans! Versatility is another reason to love this roast chicken recipe. 😉

More Delicious Chicken Recipes to Try

1. Smoked Chicken Leg Quarters
2. Crispy Grilled Chicken Wings
3. Florentine Chicken
4. Chicken Wings
5. Chicken and Sausage Gumbo

Conclusion

Go ahead and try this recipe; I know you’re going to love it. How do you plan on using the leftovers? A fabulous chicken salad or chicken taco night? Let me know in the comments. 😄

Watch How to Make It

This blog post was originally published in March 2016 and has been updated with additional tips and a video.