Ina Garten Brings You the Roast Chicken You’ve Always Wanted

There’s nothing better in the middle of winter than coming home to the soothing aroma of chicken cooking in your oven. It’s even better if you have a near-perfect roast chicken recipe.

After all, Ina Garten is the queen of simple but wonderful meals, so when her Perfect Roast Chicken recipe reappeared on the internet, we knew we had to give it a shot and see if it was truly as good as everyone claims. We collected the simple supplies, spent precisely 5 minutes preparing them, and waited to see if this would become our new favorite roast chicken dish.

For this recipe, you’ll need a 5- to 6-pound roasting chicken, kosher salt, black pepper, fresh thyme, a split lemon, a whole head of halved garlic, a Spanish onion, 1 cup chicken stock, 2 teaspoons flour, and 2 tablespoons melted butter. You will also need a roasting pan and, if available, a meat thermometer.

Begin by preheating the oven to 425°. Ina recommends rinsing the chicken inside and out before cooking, but I overlooked this step. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels, lay it in a large roasting pan, and season the insides with salt and pepper. Fill the cavity with a huge bunch of thyme, one lemon, and all of the garlic. Brush the exterior with melted butter, then season again with salt and pepper. Tie the legs together with string and tuck the wings underneath the bird. Thickly slice the onion and place it around the chicken in the pan.

Roast for 1 1/2 hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 165° and the juices are clear. Transfer the chicken to a plate and cover with foil while you make the gravy.

To prepare the gravy, set aside 2 tablespoons of fat from the bottom of the pan. Cook the chicken stock on high heat for about five minutes, or until it is reduced. Combine the flour with the 2 tablespoons of saved chicken fat, then add to the pan. Whisk for a few minutes to cook the flour, then drain into a small saucepan. Season to taste. Keep the gravy warm as you cut the chicken. Serve the chicken with gravy.

Ina Garten’s Perfect Roast Chicken dish is a delectable combination of simplicity and taste, capturing the essence of a warm winter feast. The short prep time and simple techniques make it an appealing option for a warm home-cooked supper. The fragrant infusion of thyme, lemon, and garlic produces a delicious sensory experience, while Ina’s meticulous attention to detail—from tying the chicken’s legs to the finishing touches of a thick gravy—turns the meal into a culinary masterpiece. Whether you rinse the chicken or not, this dish provides a warm and pleasant ritual, making it an excellent addition to your repertoire of go-to dinners.

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