Ingredients
- 1 (4 to 5-pound) roasting chicken
- 1 large yellow onion, sliced
- Good olive oil
- Kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 2 lemons, quartered
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 6 cups (3/4-inch) bread cubes (1 baguette or round boule)
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
Directions
Take the giblets out of the chicken and wash it inside and out. Remove any excess fat and leftover pinfeathers. Toss the onion with a little olive oil in a small roasting pan. Place the chicken on top and sprinkle the inside of the cavity with salt and pepper. Place the lemons inside the chicken. Pat the outside of the chicken dry with paper towels, brush it with the melted butter, and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Tie the legs together with kitchen string and tuck the wing tips under the body of the chicken.
Roast for 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 hours, or until the juices run clear when you cut between the leg and the thigh. Cover with foil and allow to sit at room temperature for 15 minutes. (The onions may burn, but the flavor is good.)
Meanwhile, heat a large saute pan with 2 tablespoons of olive oil until very hot. Lower the heat to medium-low and saute the bread cubes, tossing frequently, until nicely browned, 8 to
10 minutes. Add more olive oil, as needed, and sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Place the croutons on a serving platter. Slice the chicken and place it, plus all the pan juices, over the croutons. Sprinkle with salt and serve warm.
















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By annesimpson
ventura, 43
on April 29, 2013
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I've decided to try this instead of the perfect roast chicken since we have had it countless times. I was very impressed and so was my husband. We actually both like this recipe even better! I've added garlic powder to the seasoning. Really delicious. Thanks Ina!
By dmr120@yahoo.com
on November 12, 2012
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Excellent. I was displaced by Superstorm Sandy last week and I went to stay with a friend who had heat & electricity. We got talking about the Barefoot Contessa and we choose to make this recipe for dinner. It was very pleasing and simple to make. We used ciabatta as french wasn't available, the nookies & crannies in ciabatta croutons soaked up every bit of the lemony chicken juice... it was divine!
By teresajones13_1...
Los Angeles, CA
on October 07, 2012
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Outstanding bird. The chicken was juicy, and delicious with the croutons. My kids gobbled it up, and said I make the best chicken in the world! The one tip I would add is to check the internal temperature of the chicken with an instant read thermometer. I didn't, and my chicken was a tiny bit pink next to the bone. I will make this again, for company.
Read all 137 reviews