It’s been 14 years since Kate Middleton and Prince William’s unforgettable royal wedding. Through three kids, major life changes and ever-expanding global attention, the royal couple has managed to maintain a surprisingly down-to-earth routine behind palace doors.
How down-to-earth? Apparently a routine that includes Kate whipping up the family’s go-to roast chicken recipe on a regular basis. The simple dish is a favorite of Prince William’s and reportedly was a hit with his late mother, Princess Diana. Now, Will and Kate’s three children love it, too.
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This isn’t just a Prince and Princess of Wales favorite, though. Meghan Markle and Prince Harry famously got engaged over this roast chicken. “We were roasting a chicken. It was so sweet and natural and very romantic,” Meghan shared at the time. Evidently, this dish has royal charm.
It remains to be seen how Will and Kate plan to celebrate their wedding anniversary this year (though rumor has it they will spend it on the Isle of Mull in Scotland), but it wouldn’t come as a shock if this cozy classic chicken is part of the romantic menu.
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What Makes Kate Middleton’s Roast Chicken So Great?
At first glance, the recipe couldn’t be more straightforward: it uses just two ingredients—yes, really!—a whole chicken and salt. But it’s the simplicity and history that make this dish truly iconic.
Former royal chef Darren McGrady told Hello! that he used to prepare the dish for Princess Diana, and even taught young William and Harry how to make it themselves. Kate reportedly picked up the recipe and made it a staple in her household. The dish’s no-fuss approach makes it ideal for busy weeknights or special family dinners—and the results are consistently delicious.
It’s a low-effort, high-reward meal: crispy skin, juicy meat and plenty of leftovers that can be used in sandwiches, wraps or soups the next day.
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How to Make Kate Middleton’s Roast Chicken
Meat can be intimidating to cook, but Kate Middleton’s roast chicken recipe is basic enough for nearly any cook.
To start, preheat your oven to 425° and pat a whole chicken dry with paper towels. Add salt all over the skin of the chicken, from top to bottom. Resist the urge to add butter or oil— there’s really no need for that here. Place your chicken on a cooling rack on top of a baking sheet to allow air to circulate around the bird.
The meat will cook for about an hour before it’s ready. (As a reminder, you’re looking for an internal temperature of 165° for chicken.) Take the chicken out of the oven, let it rest for a few minutes, then slice and serve.
If you have chicken leftovers, you can use them to make sandwiches or wraps the next day. You can even use the remaining chicken bones to make a stock. Once you make this simple recipe, you can adjust it as you’d like to make it your own, then pass the recipe down to the other cooks in your family, just like the royals.
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