Ina Garten’s Heartwarming Skillet-roasted Chicken & Potatoes Recipe

Sizzling aromas of herb-infused Ina Garten skillet-roasted chicken & potatoes waft through the kitchen, promising a comforting meal that speaks directly to the soul.

Crisp golden skin and tender meat define this classic dish that transforms simple ingredients into something extraordinary.

Robust flavors meld together in a single pan, creating a stunning dinner with minimal cleanup.

Each bite promises succulence and depth that will transport you to a cozy evening of pure culinary delight.

The technique is straightforward yet elegant, making this recipe accessible for home cooks of all skill levels.

Perfectly seasoned and beautifully roasted, this chicken delivers a restaurant-quality experience right from your own stovetop.

Your dinner guests will be impressed by this delectable masterpiece that combines rustic charm with gourmet finesse.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes

Calories: 480 kcal

Servings: 4

Ingredients for Skillet-Roasted Chicken & Potatoes by Ina

• Chicken Thighs: Bone-in and skin-on provide rich flavor and juicy texture, ensuring maximum tenderness during roasting.
• Buttermilk: Tenderizes meat and adds subtle tanginess, creating a delicate marinade that enhances chicken's natural taste.

• Kosher Salt, Black Pepper: Essential for layering depth and enhancing overall recipe's flavor profile.
• Thyme Leaves: Earthy herb that complements chicken's richness with delicate, aromatic notes.
• Sweet Hungarian Paprika: Adds warm, subtle sweetness and beautiful reddish color to the dish.

• Dijon Mustard: Provides sharp, tangy kick that cuts through richness and adds complexity.
• Dry White Wine: Introduces subtle acidity and helps create a more nuanced pan sauce.
• Garlic: Brings robust, pungent flavor that deepens the overall taste of the dish.
• Parsley, Chives: Fresh herbs that brighten the final presentation with vibrant green color and fresh taste.

• Potatoes: Russet or yellow varieties work best, absorbing delicious pan juices and creating crispy exterior.
• Olive Oil: Helps create golden, crisp texture and prevents sticking in cast-iron skillet.

What You’ll Need to Roast This One-Pan Dish Ina’s Way

• Cast-iron skillet: A 12-inch heavy-duty skillet that helps create crispy chicken and evenly roasted potatoes.
• Instant-read thermometer: Essential for checking chicken's internal temperature and ensuring it's perfectly cooked.
• Small bowl: Used for mixing mustard and wine for brushing chicken.
• 1-gallon sealable plastic bag: Needed for marinating chicken in buttermilk.
• Measuring spoons: For accurately measuring salt, pepper, and herbs.
• Measuring cups: To measure olive oil and other liquid ingredients.
• Cutting board: For slicing potatoes and chopping herbs.
• Sharp knife: For mincing garlic and chopping parsley and chives.
• Foil: To loosely cover chicken while resting.
• Pastry brush: For evenly coating chicken with mustard-wine mixture.

Cooking Directions for Ina Garten’s Chicken & Potatoes

• Buttermilk Bath

Coat chicken thighs with salt and pepper. Submerge in buttermilk and let marinate in refrigerator for several hours to ensure tenderness and deep flavor infusion.

• Skillet Preparation

Select a sturdy cast-iron skillet and generously coat bottom with olive oil. This creates a perfect non-stick surface and adds rich flavor to the dish.

• Mustard Glaze

Create a tangy mixture of Dijon mustard and white wine. Brush this glaze across chicken skin to enhance complexity and encourage beautiful caramelization.

• Herb and Spice Layer

Sprinkle thyme leaves, sweet paprika, salt, and pepper over chicken. These seasonings will develop a robust and aromatic profile during roasting.

• First Roasting Stage

Place skillet in preheated oven. Roast chicken until it begins to turn golden and release initial juices, allowing flavors to develop gradually.

• Potato Foundation

Nestle sliced potatoes and minced garlic around chicken. Toss potatoes in pan drippings to ensure maximum flavor absorption and crispy edges.

• Final Roasting

Continue cooking until chicken reaches perfect internal temperature and potatoes transform into golden, crispy delights. Allow juices to mingle and intensify.

• Finishing Touches

Garnish with fresh parsley and chives. Serve directly from skillet for a rustic, inviting presentation that celebrates home-style cooking.

Tips to Crisp the Skin and Season the Potatoes

• Replace thighs with drumsticks or bone-in chicken breasts, adjusting cooking time to ensure proper internal temperature.
• Experiment with fresh rosemary, sage, or oregano instead of thyme to create unique flavor profiles for your skillet chicken.
• Toss additional root vegetables like carrots, parsnips, or sweet potatoes alongside regular potatoes for a more colorful and nutritious dish.
• Add smoked paprika, red pepper flakes, or herbes de Provence to introduce bolder, more complex seasoning to the chicken and potatoes.
• Substitute dry white wine with chicken broth or vermouth if you prefer a non-alcoholic cooking liquid, maintaining the recipe's moisture and depth of flavor.

Serving Up Skillet Chicken à la Garten

• Serve Family-Style: Bring the sizzling cast-iron skillet directly to the table for a rustic, communal dining experience that highlights the dish's golden-brown chicken and crispy potatoes.
• Pair with Fresh Salad: Complement the rich, hearty chicken with a light green salad dressed in a tangy vinaigrette to balance the meal's flavors and add freshness.
• Add Crusty Bread: Serve warm, crusty bread on the side to soak up the delicious pan juices and create a complete, satisfying meal that everyone will love.
• Create Wine Pairing: Offer a crisp white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or a light Chardonnay that matches the dish's mustard and herb notes, enhancing the overall dining experience.

Keeping Skillet Chicken Fresh for Leftovers

• Refrigerate Wisely: Store leftover chicken and potatoes in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keeps fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator, ensuring maximum flavor and food safety.
• Quick Reheat Strategy: Warm individual portions in a skillet over medium heat or microwave at 50% power to maintain moisture. Add a splash of chicken broth to prevent drying out, creating a nearly fresh-like taste.
• Freeze for Future Meals: Separate chicken and potatoes before freezing. Wrap tightly in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty aluminum foil. Stays delicious for up to 2 months when properly sealed.
• Smart Prep Tip: Marinate chicken in advance and store in the refrigerator. Prepare potatoes separately to maintain their crispy texture. Remove from refrigerator 30 minutes before cooking to ensure even temperature and perfect cooking results.

Crispy Ina Garten Skillet-roasted Chicken & Potatoes Recipe

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4.8 from 16 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s skillet-roasted chicken & potatoes combines hearty American comfort cooking with classic French technique. Home chefs can savor this simple, elegant dinner that brings robust flavors to the table with minimal preparation.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1.1 – 1.4 kg / 2½ – 3 lbs bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 4 large thighs)
• 30 ml / 2 tbsps olive oil, good quality
• 600 ml / 2½ cups buttermilk, shaken
• 450 g / 1 lb medium Yukon Gold potatoes, unpeeled, sliced ¼ inch (0.6 cm) thick
• 30 g / 2 tbsps Dijon mustard
• 15 ml / 1 tbsp dry white wine, such as Chablis
• 3 cloves / 1 tbsp minced garlic
• 15 ml / 1½ tsps fresh thyme leaves
• 30 ml / 2 tbsps fresh parsley, minced
• 15 ml / 1 tbsp fresh chives, chopped
• 5 ml / 1 tsp kosher salt, for chicken seasoning
• 5 ml / 1 tsp kosher salt, for potatoes
• 2.5 ml / ½ tsp black pepper, for chicken seasoning
• 2.5 ml / ½ tsp black pepper, for potatoes
• Pinch / ⅛ tsp sweet Hungarian paprika

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Instructions

1. Marination: Coat chicken thighs with kosher salt and black pepper. Immerse in buttermilk within a sealable bag, ensuring complete coverage. Refrigerate for 4 hours to tenderize the meat.
2. Preparation: Heat oven to 175°C / 350°F. Select a 12-inch cast-iron skillet and evenly coat bottom with olive oil.
3. Initial Coating: Extract chicken from buttermilk, letting excess drip off. Position thighs skin-side up in skillet. Craft a glaze by combining Dijon mustard and white wine, brushing across chicken surfaces.
4. Seasoning Layer: Sprinkle thyme leaves, Hungarian paprika, kosher salt, and black pepper over chicken, creating an aromatic profile.
5. Primary Roasting: Roast chicken for 30 minutes until skin turns golden. Remove chicken temporarily and introduce sliced potatoes and minced garlic into skillet, coating with pan juices. Season with salt and pepper.
6. Secondary Roasting: Return chicken atop potatoes, continuing roasting for another 30 minutes. Verify internal temperature reaches 68°C / 155°F using an instant-read thermometer.
7. Crisp Finale: Remove chicken and tent with foil. Elevate oven temperature to 220°C / 425°F. Roast potatoes for 15 minutes until achieving a crisp, golden exterior.
8. Presentation: Reunite chicken with potatoes. Garnish abundantly with chopped parsley and chives. Perform final seasoning adjustment. Serve directly from skillet, maintaining optimal temperature and visual appeal.

Notes

• Marinate Wisely: Buttermilk breaks down chicken proteins, ensuring tender, juicy meat. Minimum 4-hour marination guarantees maximum flavor infusion and softness.
• Temperature Precision: Use instant-read thermometer to confirm chicken reaches 68°C / 155°F, preventing undercooking while maintaining succulent texture.
• Cast-Iron Magic: Skillet creates even heat distribution and develops rich, caramelized flavors. Season skillet before use for non-stick surface and enhanced taste.
• Crispy Potato Pro-Tip: Boost potato crispiness by increasing oven temperature to 220°C / 425°F in final roasting stage, achieving golden, crunchy exterior without drying out chicken.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Roasting
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 480
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 700 mg
• Fat: 28 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 32 g
• Cholesterol: 130 mg