Perfect Roast Chicken

Show: Barefoot ContessaEpisode: The Homecoming

Rated: 5 stars out of 5Rate itRead users' reviews (260)

RECIPE
COMMENTS & REVIEWS(260)

Cook Time:
1 hr 30 min
Level:
Intermediate
Yield:
8 servings

Times:

Prep: 20 min
Inactive Prep: 20 min
Cook: 1 hr 30 min
Total:: 2 hr 10 min

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Ingredients

1 (5 to 6 pound) roasting chicken
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1 large bunch fresh thyme, plus 20 sprigs
1 lemon, halved
1 head garlic, cut in half crosswise
2 tablespoons (1/4 stick) butter, melted
1 large yellow onion, thickly sliced
4 carrots cut into 2-inch chunks
1 bulb of fennel, tops removed, and cut into wedges
Olive oil

Directions

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.

Remove the chicken giblets. Rinse the chicken inside and out. Remove any excess fat and leftover pin feathers and pat the outside dry. Liberally salt and pepper the inside of the chicken. Stuff the cavity with the bunch of thyme, both halves of lemon, and all the garlic. Brush the outside of the chicken with the butter and sprinkle again with salt and pepper. Tie the legs together with kitchen string and tuck the wing tips under the body of the chicken. Place the onions, carrots, and fennel in a roasting pan. Toss with salt, pepper, 20 sprigs of thyme, and olive oil. Spread around the bottom of the roasting pan and place the chicken on top.

Roast the chicken for 1 1/2 hours, or until the juices run clear when you cut between a leg and thigh. Remove the chicken and vegetables to a platter and cover with aluminum foil for about 20 minutes. Slice the chicken onto a platter and serve it with the vegetables.

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Comments & Reviews

recipe Perfect Roast Chicken
Roseanne Norton Shores, MI 02-09-2010
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Best Roast Chicken
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

This was the best roast chicken I have ever cooked and the best I've ever eaten. It was favorful and delicious and all the... great favors from the chicken cooked onto the veggies. It was great leftover also.Read more
recipe Perfect Roast Chicken
Laura Riverside, CA 02-08-2010
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Oh my!!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

So yummy. A great hit. Thinking I'll add mushrooms next time. Looking forward to leftovers :o)
recipe Perfect Roast Chicken
Matthew Fort Campbell, KY 02-07-2010
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Really is Perfect!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

I had this chicken at Easter one year at a friend's house. I was amazed at the ease of preparation and the explosion of... flavors. About a year later I finally prepared it myself when my husband returned from a year long deployment to Afghanistan. When my husband saw me cutting up fennel he was shocked because he knows that I am not a fan at all of anything with an anise or licorice flavor. The beautiful thing that you experience when you eat this chicken is that the fennel becomes sweet and savory and the chicken is juicy and full of flavor from all of the vegetables. The thyme, garlic,and lemon within the chicken provides subtle and perfect flavor. The key to making this recipe absolutely perfect is to use plenty of salt and also I add garlic cloves to the mix of vegetables. When the garlic roasts with the vegetables they become sweet and carmelized and are absolutely delicious! Thank you Ina! This dish has become our new family favorite.Read more
recipe Perfect Roast Chicken
susan hyde park, NY 02-06-2010
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It is really Perfect.
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

I make this often for my family. I also cut up red potatoes with the fennel , carrots and onions. I don't always have fresh... thyme on hand and have used dried thyme it still comes out great. The left overs make a wonderful chicken pot pie!Read more
recipe Perfect Roast Chicken
Katie Overland, MO 02-05-2010
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Wonderful!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

This is soooo good. I had to try it after watching the episode she made it on. this is perfect for my family and I. Mum was... worried the 2 bulbs of garlic would be too strong but it came out perfect! Thank you Ina! Read more
recipe Perfect Roast Chicken
Janet Dedham, MA 02-02-2010
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The easiest, moisted chicken ever
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

This chicken is great for just my husband and myself or it's a no fail recipe for company. Everyone who has tried it wants... the recipe and raves about it. We have it at least twice a month. ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUSRead more