Oma's German Roasted Chicken (Brathendl / Hähnchen) 

by: Gerhild Fulson  / Oma Gerhild shares German recipes rooted in family tradition.

Jump to recipe ⇣

Finger-lickin' good roasted chicken pieces, easy and economical, perfect for family night dinners, for company, and even Oktoberfest! It’s Brathendl, Oma-style!

Roasted chicken, aka hähnchen or brathendl, is a real treat for our family. Many years ago, the easy way was when my hubby brought home fast-food fried chicken pieces. 

Now, I know what you're probably thinking – this doesn't sound like a German-style chicken dinner. But remove that breading and include paprika in the rub ... German! 

Actually, roasted chicken is a favorite German meal, especially in southern Germany and then most especially at Oktoberfest. Just brush with melted butter and season with salt and paprika. DELISH!

But when I served it with potatoes and red cabbage, m-m-m-m-m, it sure tasted like traditional German cooking! Really! One of our kids' favorites. And, leftovers are great.

There were two problems with getting fast-food chicken. First, it was expensive. Second, since we live way in the country, it was almost cold by the time he got it home. In other words, what I really wanted was quick and easy dinner recipes.

Oma's Version

I experimented and came up with this easy version. Made in the oven, it was quick and didn't splatter! The below posted recipe is my solution. I wanted a recipe for roasted chicken that was easy and economical.

• Easy, I just take my favorite seasoning salt, sprinkle it on the chicken pieces and bake. If you don't have a seasoning salt, just use salt and pepper. Add paprika, for German-style
• Recently, I've started using Montreal Steak Spice. NICE!
• Economical, I use whatever is on sale: chicken drumsticks, chicken thighs, quarter chicken pieces — or I cut up a whole chicken.

From Oma's heart to your table

Complete your set today - order now!

Easy clean-up

Quick clean up was also important. As much as I like quick and easy dinner recipes, if they take forever to clean up afterwards, I don't use them often.

• In the beginning, I put the chicken pieces on a cookie rack on a cookie sheet (with an edge). Good, but messy to clean. Not a winner.
• So, I tried lining a cookie sheet with foil. That worked better.
  
• However, I found that my stoneware cookie sheet with an edge also works great. I just put the chicken pieces directly on the stoneware - no rack. What's great about stoneware, there's very little splattering and easy clean up.

Whichever way you choose you'll get finger-lickin' good chicken!

Ready to enjoy this roasted chicken?

Print Recipe

Simple German Roasted Chicken – Oma's Brathendl (Hähnchen)

Finger-lickin' good roasted chicken pieces, aka hähnchen or brathendl, easy and economical, perfect for family night dinners, for company, and even Oktoberfest! It’s brathendl, Oma-style!

Prep Time:

10 minutes

Bake Time:

1 hour

Total Time:

1 hour 10 minutes

Servings:

2 - 3 servings

Ingredients:

• 1 (approx. 3 pound) chicken, cut into pieces
• 2 tablespoons melted butter or oil (optional)
• Seasoning Salt (or salt and pepper)
• paprika

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F. 
2. Trim any fat from chicken with scissors.
3. Arrange chicken pieces, skin side down, in a single layer on stoneware cookie sheet, or on cookie rack on foil-lined cookie sheet.
4. Brush with butter (if using) and sprinkle seasoning salt and paprika all over. Turn pieces over, skin side up, and brush with butter (if using) and sprinkle seasoning salt and paprika all over. Do not cover chicken.
5. Put on middle rack in oven and bake for 45 to 60 minutes or until internal temp is at least 165°F.

*  *  *  *  *

Unless otherwise noted recipe, images and content © Just like Oma | www.quick-german-recipes.com

09.13.2021 revision update

See more recipes ->

What’s for Dinner?

Let Oma help! Join my Kaffeeklatsch for easy German recipes and a little taste of Germany in your inbox.

 

You’ll also get my free Most Popular Recipes ebook right away.

 

Email address

First name

YES, SEND ME THE RECIPES!

Thanks for joining!

Keep your eyes on your inbox for my email. 

---

Follow Oma on Social Media:

instagramyoutubefacebookpinterest

Comments?  Questions?

You can leave a comment about this recipe or ask a question...

Pop right over to my private Facebook group, the Kaffeeklatschers. You'll find thousands of German foodies, all eager to help and to talk about all things German, especially these yummy foods. 

Meet with us around Oma's virtual table, pull up a chair, grab a coffee and a piece of Apfelstrudel, and enjoy the visit.

Recent Articles

• 
• 

1. Dill Pickle Coleslaw (Dillgurken-Krautsalat)

   Sep 14, 26 01:12 AM

   
   Dill Pickle Coleslaw boasts cabbage, carrots, and pickles, topped with a creamy, Northern-inspired mayonnaise dressing. It's refreshingly perfect for all summer ventures!

   Read More

2. Authentic German Bratwurst and Sauerkraut Recipe

   Sep 11, 26 10:24 AM

   
   Oma’s German bratwurst and sauerkraut recipe with authentic flavors in this dish of hearty bratwurst, tangy sauerkraut, and apples, that popular throughout Germany.

   Read More

3. Traditional German Red Cabbage Recipe – Oma's Rotkohl Rezept

   Sep 08, 26 08:53 PM

   
   The red cabbage recipe (rotkohl) is sweet, tangy, and easy to make. A German classic with big flavor and little fuss—just how Oma likes it!

   Read More

Let's connect...

From Oma's heart
to your table

Complete your set today - order now!

More about me >

Hi, I'm Oma Gerhild! As a food writer and cookbook author, I'm always looking to find ways to pass on my German heritage using local ingredients. Quick and easy. That's my goal. Wunderbar food. That's the result.