Learn my tips and tricks to make a juicy and flavourful baked chicken, which is a center piece for any festive gathering.

Baking a whole chicken might seem daunting, but this post will guide you from picking the right chicken to preparing a flavourful marinade and baking at the right temperature. If you are looking for the Orange-Saffron Baked Chicken recipe right away, scroll below.

What to Look For When Buying Chicken?

Choose a chicken that weights no more than 1500g. If the chicken is too big, it will be difficult to get the flavours in and cook it through. A chicken between 1200-1400g is ideal.

Bake with or Without Skin?

I always prefer with skin. The skin prevents the chicken from drying out and keeps it juicy. If you do not like the skin, you can take it out before you eat it.

How to Marinade?

There are different kinds of marinades that you can choose depending on your taste and mood. But there are some basics that are added in usually every marinade which make the chicken flavour:

• Acidic component: It can be lemon juice, vinegar, yogurt, buttermilk or brine. It helps tenderize the chicken and helps the spices/condiments that you add get into the meat.
• Seasoning: Goes without saying. A chicken without salt and/or pepper will be inedible. It could be in the form of regular salt, soy sauce, brine or broth powder/tablets.
• Spices or herbs: These add an extra layer of flavoring to the chicken. If you like it spicy, you can go bold with the chili powder which also adds a lovely red/orange tint to the chicken. Spices like turmeric, coriander, cumin and paprika also work well. If you’re not a fan of lots of spices, you can keep it simple by adding herbs like rosemary, oregano or thyme.

Rub the marinade very well onto the chicken. For maximum flavour, reach into the skin (the part on the breast) and rub the marinade inside.

How Long to Marinade?

Ideally, keep it marinated for 24 hours in an airtight container in the fridge. If you are running out of time, give it at least 3 hours.

How to Bake?

An hour prior to baking, take the chicken out of the oven. This will help the chicken cook quicker and not release too much liquid.

When your’re ready to bake, always preheat the oven at 180°Celsius (350 Fahrenheit). Keep the chicken on a wired rack with a baking sheet underneat. Change sides every 20 minutes to ensure it cooks evenly. Baste it with the fat that the chicken has released every time you take it out of the oven. If your chicken is between 1200-1400g, it will take about 80-90 minutes to cook. If it’s smaller or bigger, the cooking time may differ.

How to Check if Chicken is Cooked Through?

To ensure that your chicken is cooked through, take it out on a white or light colored plate. If the juice that runs out of it is pinkish or reddish in color, the chicken is not properly cooked through yet. Give it another 10 minutes and check again. If your chicken looks brown enough from outside but is still not fully done from inside, cover it with an aluminium foil and cook it further. This will prevent it from burning outside while still being cooked inside.

Orange-Saffron Baked Chicken

If you’re looking for a festive baked chicken recipe, this orange saffron chicken is the perfect way to go. It only requires a handful of ingredients but contains a burst of flavours. The persian jeweled rice compliments the flavours of this chicken beautifully.