When you’re craving the nostalgic taste of Kenny Rogers Roasters' classic rotisserie chicken, now you can recreate that famous flavor in your very own kitchen. This copycat chicken is marinated with lemon, soy sauce, and a hint of liquid smoke, then seasoned with a simple dry rub for a bird that’s tender, smoky, crispy-skinned, and succulent—just like the real thing!
“The roasted chicken of my dreams,” said recipe cross-tester Giovanna Vazquez.
This dish is a great option for a hearty family meal, and although it takes some time, most of it is hands-off, making it easy to pull off for any occasion.
Ingredients
MARINATED CHICKEN
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1 lemon, quartered, plus lemon slices for garnish
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1 (4 to 4 1/2 pound) whole chicken, patted dry
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1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
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1 tablespoon grated lemon zest
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1/4 cup soy sauce
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1 tablespoon hot sauce
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1 tablespoon ketchup
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1 tablespoon onion powder
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1 teaspoon dried thyme
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1 teaspoon kosher salt
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1/4 teaspoon liquid smoke
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1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
DRY RUB
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1 tablespoon onion powder
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2 teaspoons kosher salt
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2 teaspoons smoked paprika
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1 teaspoon black pepper
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1 teaspoon dried thyme
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1 teaspoon garlic powder
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1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
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1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
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Fresh thyme leaves
Directions
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Gather all ingredients.
![Copycat Kenny Rogers Chicken ingredients on a marble counter]()
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
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Prepare the Marinated Chicken: Place lemon quarters inside chicken cavity; put chicken in a large resealable plastic bag. Stir together lemon juice, lemon zest, soy sauce, hot sauce, ketchup, onion powder, thyme, salt, and liquid smoke in a medium bowl until combined.
![Marinade in a glass bowl with a whisk]()
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
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Pour lemon juice mixture over chicken in the bag. Let marinate at room temperature for at least 1 hour or refrigerate for up to 16 hours. Remove from refrigerator, and bring to room temperature before roasting, about 1 hour.
![Chicken with marinade in a plastic bag on a baking sheet]()
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
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Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Remove chicken from marinade, and discard marinade. Pat chicken dry, and evenly brush Dijon mustard on chicken.
![Marinaded chicken on a wire rack next to more marinade in a measuring cup]()
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
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Prepare the Dry Rub: Stir together onion powder, salt, smoked paprika, black pepper, thyme, garlic powder, cloves, and nutmeg in a small bowl. Sprinkle dry rub evenly over chicken, firmly pressing to adhere. Tuck wing tips behind shoulders. Tie legs together with kitchen twine. Place chicken, breast side up, on a wire rack set inside a large-rimmed baking sheet.
![Seasoned chicken on a wire rack]()
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
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Bake in the preheated oven at 400 degrees F (200 degrees C) for 20 minutes, uncovered, then loosely cover with foil. Continue baking until chicken is cooked through and a thermometer inserted into thickest part of chicken breast 160 degrees F (71 degrees C), 1 hour 20 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes, rotating chicken front to back halfway through.
![Copycat Kenny Rogers Chicken with lemon inside on a cooling rack]()
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
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Remove from oven and place chicken on a cutting board; let chicken rest for 15 minutes.
![Copycat Kenny Rogers Chicken on a wooden cutting board]()
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
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Carve chicken and garnish with lemon slices and fresh thyme leaves.
![Sliced Copycat Kenny Rogers Chicken on top of lemon slices on a blue platter]()
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
| 343 | Calories |
| 16g | Fat |
| 20g | Carbs |
| 34g | Protein |
| Nutrition Facts | |
|---|---|
| Servings Per Recipe 6 | |
| Calories 343 | |
| % Daily Value * | |
| Total Fat 16g | 21% |
| Saturated Fat 4g | 22% |
| Cholesterol 101mg | 34% |
| Sodium 1360mg | 59% |
| Total Carbohydrate 20g | 7% |
| Dietary Fiber 5g | 17% |
| Total Sugars 7g | |
| Protein 34g | 67% |
| Vitamin C 76mg | 84% |
| Calcium 78mg | 6% |
| Iron 3mg | 18% |
| Potassium 596mg | 13% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.
(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.
