Remember A Key Step For Perfectly Crispy Roast Chicken Skin

Don't spend long hours roasting chicken just to have an underwhelming crunch and unsatisfying flavor. Instead, take the time to get extra crispy roast chicken with just a couple of simple steps. We spoke with chef Russell Kook of The Bellevue Chicago on how to achieve expertly roasted skin on a roast chicken. "To achieve ultra-crispy skin," he says, "start by ensuring the skin is completely dry before roasting. If you brined the chicken, let it air-dry in the fridge overnight. This step removes excess moisture, which is the enemy of crispiness." And if you really want to boost the texture, aromatics, and taste of your roast chicken, Kook recommends that you "rub the skin with oil or butter before roasting to promote browning and add flavor."

Roasting a chicken also creates tasty drippings that can be used to juice up the meat or flavor sides and other garnishes. Use a baster or cooking syringe to inject the drippings back into the chicken for a noticeably more tender roast. Drippings can also spruce up a salad dressing or tray of roasted vegetables. Alternatively, transform the drippings into a rich, savory gravy or get creative by mixing them into mashed potatoes with other ingredients for a burst of flavor that requires only minimal effort.

To achieve a flaky golden brown exterior while ensuring the chicken stays juicy, flavorful, and moist, pay careful attention to time and heat. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit before allowing the chicken to roast for around 15 minutes. Reduce the heat to 350 degrees until fully cooked. When roasting a chicken estimate approximately 20 minutes per pound, but continue to bake until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees. You can check this by inserting a meat thermometer — which is a key part of your roast chicken toolkit — in the thigh and breast of the poultry.

When reheating roasted chicken, you can turn up crispiness to the max by using an air fryer. It should take just over five minutes to achieve a rejuvenated crunch. Start by preheating the air fryer to 375 degrees. Add a light coating of olive oil for extra flavor and texture before cooking for 5 to 7 minutes. Unless you're dealing with big pieces, don't overdo the cook time to ensure the chicken remains juicy. Most importantly, avoid overcrowding the air fryer to fend off uneven temperatures. You can help combat this issue with a quality double-decker air fryer like this Ninja variety.