πŸ‡¬πŸ‡§ UK Β· kg/Β°CπŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ US Β· lb/Β°F
🍽️ Cooking guide

Roast Chicken: Covered or Uncovered?

Roast chicken uncovered so the skin crisps and browns. If it colours too quickly before it is cooked through, tent it loosely with foil, then remove the foil for the last 20 minutes to re-crisp the skin.

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Covered vs uncovered

MethodResultWhen to use
UncoveredCrispy, golden skinMost of the roast
Foil tentStops over-browningIf skin browns too early
Uncover last 20 minRe-crisps skinAfter any covering
🌑️ Whatever the time, doneness is decided by the internal temperature β€” check it with a meat thermometer.

🌑️ Stop guessing β€” check the real temperature

A fast digital meat thermometer is the only way to know your roast is safely and perfectly cooked. Pull it at the exact internal temperature, every time.

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🍳 Roasting kit that gets results

A heavy roasting pan, a leave-in probe and a sharp carving knife make a real difference to your roast.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Start uncovered for crispy skin. Only add a loose foil tent if the skin is browning before the bird is cooked, then remove it for the last 20 minutes.
Covering traps steam and can speed cooking slightly, but it softens the skin. For crisp skin, roast uncovered.

Meat Cooking Calculators