This Surprising Ingredient Makes Roast Chicken SO Tender

As far as we’re concerned, cooking chicken is one of the most important skills every home chef should master. It takes a really, really good cook to make savory, tender chicken.

Chef Jamie Oliver knows how to whip up chicken that’s golden, juicy and delicious. His secret? Basting the chicken with milk.

It’s easy to be skeptical about the combo. But trust us!

Here’s Why Cooking Chicken in Milk Makes Sense

The calcium in milk is thought to kick-start a natural enzyme in the chicken that helps it tenderize. It also breaks up the acidity and heat. (That’s true for non-dairy milk, like coconut milk, too.) As an added bonus, the milk creates a creamy sauce that will keep a roast chicken even juicier.

When you think about it, the combo really starts to make sense. We’re huge fans of making chicken potpie and chicken with mushroom sauce, and both of those creamy, dreamy recipes contain milk.

Jamie Oliver Got It Right

Thankfully, Jamie Oliver’s famous recipe for chicken is easy to re-create at home. You start by seasoning your chicken and frying it on the stovetop until golden. (Yes—the whole chicken!)

From there, the chicken can be slid into the oven with cinnamon, sage leaves, lemon zest, unpeeled garlic cloves and a generous pint of milk. You bake in the oven for an hour and a half, basting with the milk when you remember, and voilà: a seriously good chicken.

Jamie suggests serving with wilted spinach or some mashed potatoes. However you plate things up, it’s clear that chicken in milk will be the star of your meal. Bon appetit!

Roast Chicken Recipes That Come Out Perfect Every Time

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Roasted Chicken

This tender chicken is a real time-saver on a busy weekend. A simple blend of seasonings makes it a snap to prepare, and it smells heavenly as it roasts. —Marian Platt, Sequim, Washington

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Roast Chicken with Vegetables

Love a moist and tender chicken but not the mess of actual roasting? Use an oven cooking bag to keep chicken and veggies easily under control. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

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Roasted Chicken Thighs with Peppers & Potatoes

My family loves this dish! It looks and tastes like you fussed, but it is really simple to make. It uses healthy olive oil and fresh herbs from my garden. —Pattie Prescott, Manchester, New Hampshire

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Apple-Marinated Chicken & Vegetables

I actually invented this chicken with vegetables dish at a campground, so you know it's easy. Using the same marinade for the meat and veggies keeps it simple so we can spend more time outside and less making dinner. —Jayme Schertz, Clintonville, Wisconsin

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Greek Roasted Chicken and Potatoes

You'll find this meal is a nice one to prepare for company or to serve your family for Sunday dinner. All you need with it is tossed salad and some crusty French bread. —Pella Visnick, Dallas, Texas

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Apple-Butter Barbecued Roasted Chicken

I love cooking so much I sometimes think of recipes in my sleep and wake up to write them down! This dream-inspired dish is my family's favorite way to eat chicken. —Holly Kilbel, Akron, Ohio

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Honey-Roasted Chicken & Root Vegetables

When my whole family comes over for dinner, I make a big platter of roast chicken with sweet potatoes, carrots and fennel. My dad leads the fan club. —Kelly Ferguson, Conshohocken, Pennsylvania

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Lemon & Thyme Roasted Chicken

I love lemon and thyme together so I decided to roast a chicken with that combo. The seasoning is simple, and the meat comes out moist and tender. —Pam Nelson, Beaverton, Oregon

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Roasted Chicken & Red Potatoes

Pop this homey dinner in the oven for about an hour, then enjoy! It's got plenty of flavor—the meat juices help cook the veggies just perfectly. —Sherri Melotik, Oak Creek, Wisconsin

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Savory Rubbed Roast Chicken

In general, procedures for roasting meat apply to poultry, too. That means if you use a dry rub on a steak, a dry rub will benefit a chicken. A blend of paprika, onion powder, garlic powder and cayenne go on the skin and inside the cavity for a bright, spicy roast chicken. —Margaret Cole, Imperial, Missouri

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Pan-Roasted Chicken and Vegetables

This one-dish roast chicken with vegetables tastes as if it took hours of hands-on time to put together, but the simple ingredients can be prepped in mere minutes. The rosemary gives it a rich flavor, and the meat juices cook the veggies to perfection. It’s unbelievably easy! —Sherri Melotik, Oak Creek, Wisconsin

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Sunday's Best Chicken

I am the busy mom of four and a nursing student, so weeknight dinners are often rushed. Sunday dinners are very important to our family and everyone loves when I make this old-fashioned chicken recipe. It's the best chicken recipe there is!—Amy Jenkins, Mesa, Arizona

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Balsamic Roasted Chicken Thighs with Root Vegetables

I will always remember the way my grandmother's house smelled when she made these balsamic chicken thighs every Sunday. Ever since she gave me the recipe, the heartwarming flavors always take me back to my childhood. — Erin Chilcoat, Central Islip, New York

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Slow-Roasted Lemon Dill Chicken

The lemon and dill in this slow-cooked recipe give the chicken a bright, fresh taste. Pair the entree with a side of noodles or a mixed green salad. —Lori Lockrey, Pickering, Ontario

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Lemon & Sage Roasted Chicken

Whether it’s soaking in marinade or baking in the oven, this easy-to-prepare chicken allows ample hands-free time. —Jan Valdez, Chicago, Illinois

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Roast Spiced Chicken

Ever have a worn index card recipe from your mother with food stains covering the words? Spiced chicken has been in our family more than 50 years. —Cindy Kanwar, Blacklick, OH

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Lemon-Roasted Chicken with Olive Couscous

If you can find preserved lemons, try them instead of the plain lemons for an even more authentic flavor in this North African-inspired recipe. —David Feder, Buffalo Grove, Illinois

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Balsamic Roast Chicken

When the aroma from this dish fills your house, your family will think you spent all day cooking. But this elegant, Sunday-special roast chicken, flavored with rosemary, wine and balsamic vinegar, is surprisingly simple to make. —Tracy Tylkowski, Omaha, Nebraska

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Roast Chicken with Creole Stuffing

I've used this recipe ever since I roasted my first chicken. Our whole family looks forward to it. The combination of shrimp, sausage, ham, vegetables and seasonings makes the stuffing unique and delicious.

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Glazed Roast Chicken

I like to make this for weeknight dinners. You can make this roast chicken with apricot glaze or quince jelly. —Victoria Miller, San Ramon, California

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Slow-Roasted Chicken with Vegetables

Even a beginner cook could make this slow cooked chicken and have it turn out perfectly. This recipe could not be easier. A few minutes of prep and you'll come home to a delicious dinner. —Anita Bell, Hermitage, Tennessee

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Roasted Chicken with Potato Wedges

I grow herbs and dry them for use all year. Knowing that the rosemary and thyme are from our garden makes this cozy roast chicken dinner even better. —Tanya Borkholder, Milford, Indiana

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Slow-Cooker Roast Chicken

Roast chicken is easy to make in a slow cooker. We save the shredded chicken to use during busy weeks. —Courtney Stultz, Columbus, Kansas

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The post This Surprising Ingredient Makes Roast Chicken SO Tender appeared first on Taste of Home.

Kelsey Mulvey