Roast chicken is a classic comfort food that never goes out of style. And when it comes to roast chicken recipes, Ina Garten’s recipe is one of the most popular and highly recommended.
In this article, we will take a closer look at Ina Garten’s famous roast chicken recipe and learn why it is so beloved by foodies around the world.
Ingredients For Ina Garten’s Famous Roast Chicken Recipe
To make Ina Garten’s famous roast chicken recipe, you will need the following ingredients:
- 1 (4-5 pound) whole chicken
- Kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 1 large bunch fresh thyme
- 4 lemons
- 3 heads garlic, cut in half crosswise
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
- 1/2 cup dry white wine
- 1/2 cup chicken stock
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
- Remove the chicken giblets and rinse the chicken inside and out. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels.
- Liberally salt and pepper the inside of the chicken. Stuff the cavity with the thyme, reserving enough thyme to garnish the chicken dish, 1 lemon, halved, and 2 halves of 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.
- Cut 2 of the lemons in quarters and scatter the quarters and remaining garlic around the chicken. Pour the wine and chicken stock into the roasting pan.
- Roast the chicken for 1 1/2 hours, or until the juices run clear when you cut between a leg and a thigh. Remove the chicken and let it rest for 15 minutes before carving.
- Serve the chicken on a platter garnished with the reserved thyme and lemon wedges.
Variations on Ina Garten’s Famous Roast Chicken
Ina Garten’s roast chicken recipe is already a classic, but there are many variations you can try to mix things up. Here are a few ideas:
- Lemon and Herb Roast Chicken: Before roasting, stuff the cavity of the chicken with a handful of fresh herbs like thyme, rosemary, and sage, as well as a sliced lemon. Rub the chicken with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Roast as directed.
- Spicy Roast Chicken: Mix together some smoked paprika, cumin, chili powder, and garlic powder. Rub the mixture all over the chicken, along with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Roast as directed.
- Garlic Butter Roast Chicken: Mash together some softened butter and minced garlic. Rub the butter mixture all over the chicken, along with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Roast as directed.
- Honey Mustard Roast Chicken: Mix together some Dijon mustard, honey, and a splash of apple cider vinegar. Rub the mixture all over the chicken, along with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Roast as directed.
- BBQ Roast Chicken: Mix together some BBQ sauce, honey, and a splash of Worcestershire sauce. Rub the mixture all over the chicken, along with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Roast as directed.
- Mediterranean Roast Chicken: Rub the chicken with a mixture of olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, and salt. Add some sliced olives, sun-dried tomatoes, and feta cheese to the roasting pan during the last 20 minutes of cooking.
- Citrus Roast Chicken: Rub the chicken with a mixture of olive oil, orange juice, lime juice, lemon juice, and garlic. Add some sliced oranges and lemons to the roasting pan during the last 20 minutes of cooking.
Ina Garten’s Famous Roast Chicken nutrition facts
the nutritional content of roast chicken can vary depending on the cooking method, seasonings, and serving size.
As a general rule of thumb, a 3-ounce serving of roasted chicken (without skin) provides about:
- 140 calories
- 26 grams of protein
- 3 grams of fat
- 0 grams of carbohydrates
- 70 milligrams of sodium
Serving Suggestions
Ina Garten roast chicken is delicious on its own, but there are many ways to serve it. Here are a few ideas:
- Serve with roasted vegetables like carrots, potatoes, and onions.
- Make a gravy from the pan drippings and serve over mashed potatoes.
- Shred the leftover chicken and use it to make chicken salad, chicken soup, or chicken tacos.
Why It’s the Perfect Recipe
So what makes Ina Garten roast chicken the perfect recipe for this classic dish? There are a few reasons:
- It’s simple: With just a few ingredients and easy-to-follow instructions, this recipe is perfect for beginner cooks.
- It’s versatile: As mentioned, there are many ways to serve roast chicken, so it’s a great dish to have in your recipe arsenal.
- It’s flavorful: The lemon, garlic, and thyme add a delicious flavor to the chicken that is both subtle and satisfying.
- It’s foolproof: As long as you follow the instructions and use a meat thermometer to ensure that the chicken is cooked to the right temperature, you can’t go wrong with this recipe.
Read Also: Irish Soda Bread
Shop Kitchen Item:
