Poulet Rôti with Tarragon Butter
Why this recipe works
- Herb butter seasons deeply: Spreading tarragon butter under the skin flavours the breast meat directly while the outside roasts to a savoury, aromatic finish.
- Crisp skin, tender meat: Starting the roast at 200°C (390°F) helps the skin brown before the gentler 180°C (355°F) stage finishes the chicken evenly.
- Bright pan juices: Lemon and white wine cut through the richness of the butter, leaving a simple glossy sauce for spooning over the carved chicken.
Get the most out of this recipe
Timing notes
- Mostly hands-off cooking: The active work is mainly making the butter, seasoning the bird and finishing the pan juices; the oven does most of the rest.
- Do not skip the rest: Resting the chicken for 10 minutes helps the juices settle before carving, so the meat stays moist on the platter.
- Optional overnight seasoning: If time allows, seasoning and chilling the chicken uncovered for up to 12 hours helps dry the skin for a crisper roast.
Ingredient notes
- Use fresh tarragon: Fresh tarragon gives the chicken its distinctive gentle aniseed note; dried herbs will taste flatter here.
- Butter matters: Because the butter carries the tarragon, lemon zest and seasoning, a good unsalted butter gives the roast a cleaner, richer flavour.
- Keep the lemon balanced: The lemon should lift the pan juices rather than dominate them; taste the sauce before serving and adjust seasoning if needed.
Common mistakes
- Avoid over-roasting: Use a thermometer and cook until the thickest part of the thigh reaches 75°C (165°F), rather than relying only on time.
- Watch the skin colour: If the buttered skin browns too quickly, lower the oven slightly so the chicken can finish cooking without scorching.
- Do not over-reduce the juices: The pan juices should look glossy and lightly concentrated, not boiled down to a salty, greasy glaze.
Make-ahead tips
- Season ahead: The chicken can be salted and chilled uncovered ahead of roasting; add the tarragon butter just before it goes into the oven.
- Freeze with pan juices: Freeze carved leftover chicken with a little of the pan juices to help protect the meat from drying out.
- Reheat gently: Defrost leftovers overnight in the fridge, then reheat in a 180°C (355°F) oven until piping hot throughout.
Equipment you'll need
Ingredients
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 200°C (390°F). In a bowl, mash together the butter, most of the tarragon, 1 tsp of the salt and 1/2 tsp of the pepper to make a soft herb butter.
- Finely grate the lemon zest into the butter, then cut the lemon in half. Peel and lightly crush the garlic cloves.
- Pat the chicken dry, then loosen the skin over the breast with your fingers. Spread about two thirds of the tarragon butter under the skin and rub the rest over the outside, then season with the remaining salt and pepper.
- Put the lemon halves and garlic into the cavity, then set the chicken in a roasting pan. Roast for 20 minutes to start crisping the skin.
- Reduce the oven to 180°C (355°F) and continue roasting for 45 to 55 minutes, basting once or twice with the pan juices, until the juices run clear and a thermometer reads 75°C (165°F) in the thickest part of the thigh. If the skin is browning too quickly, turn the oven down slightly.
- Transfer the chicken to a board and rest for 10 minutes. Spoon off any excess fat from the roasting pan, then set the pan over a medium heat and stir in the wine, scraping up the browned bits, until the juices look glossy and slightly reduced.
- Carve the chicken and arrange on a warm platter. Spoon the pan juices over the top and finish with the remaining tarragon.
Recipe notes
Tips
- For the crispest skin, make sure the chicken is thoroughly dry before you add the butter.
- If you have time, season the chicken with the salt and pepper and chill it uncovered for up to 12 hours, then add the butter just before roasting.
- If serving vulnerable groups, ensure the chicken is cooked until piping hot throughout and the thickest part reaches 75°C (165°F).
Substitutions
- Replace Fresh tarragon with fresh thyme for a more earthy, less aniseed flavour.
- Replace Dry White Wine with water for a non-alcoholic pan juice, reducing briefly to concentrate the flavour.
Storage
- Refrigerate up to 3 days
- Cool leftovers quickly, then refrigerate in a sealed container. Freeze carved chicken with a little of the pan juices for best moisture; defrost overnight in the fridge and reheat in a 180°C (355°F) oven until piping hot.
Ratings & reviews
Liked this recipe? Share your feedback to support our cooking community.
Tried this recipe?
Choose 1–5 stars. A comment is optional.
Stay inspired
Discover new recipes, seasonal favourites and cooking inspiration every day. Follow JustRecipes on Pinterest and Spillt.
Recipe overview
- Servings: 4 servings
- Total time: 1h 35min (20min active)
- Difficulty: Easy
- Cuisine: French
-
Allergens:
Milk
Plan your meals and get a complete grocery list automatically.
Add to meal plannerEquipment you'll need
Got ingredients left?
Find recipes using ingredients from this recipe or what you already have at home.
Find recipes with these ingredients →Make this recipe easier next time
AdvertisementThese tools help you get better results with less effort.
KitchenAid Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls
- Non-slip base
- Stainless steel
- Not microwave safe
Pyrex Glass Mixing Bowls with Lids
- Microwave safe
- BPA-free lids
- Glass is heavier
OXO Good Grips Stainless Mixing Bowl Set
- Non-slip base
- Comfort grip
- Higher price
Enjoy cooking with JustRecipes?
Add JustRecipes as one of your preferred Google sources to discover our recipes more easily across Google Search.
Add JustRecipes to GoogleEvery recipe on JustRecipes follows the same structured editorial process. Learn how recipes are created, validated, translated, illustrated, and continuously improved across the platform. How we create recipes.






















