Barefoot Contessa Roast Chicken Recipe: Simple Joy for All

Barefoot Contessa roast chicken elevates a mundane meal into a symphony of taste and texture that’ll make your taste buds sing.

Ina Garten’s legendary recipe transforms basic poultry into a culinary work of art.

Simple yet sophisticated techniques unlock layers of rich, mouth-watering flavors.

Professional chefs know the secret lies in meticulous seasoning and precise cooking methods.

Every ingredient plays a crucial role in crafting this delectable dish that radiates warmth and comfort.

The golden, crispy skin and succulent meat promise a dining experience that transcends ordinary home cooking.

Get ready to impress your family and friends with this game-changing recipe that turns a classic roast chicken into an extraordinary feast.

Barefoot Contessa Roast Chicken: What to Use

• Oven: Preheated to 425°F (220°C) for perfect roasting.
• Roasting pan: Large, sturdy pan to hold the chicken and catch drippings.
• Kitchen twine: Essential for trussing and keeping the chicken compact.
• Paper towels: Quick drying tool for preparing the chicken.
• Pastry brush: Helps evenly coat the chicken with melted butter.
• Sharp knife: Needed for carving and checking chicken doneness.
• Cutting board: Clean surface for preparing and carving the chicken.
• Aluminum foil: Perfect for tenting the cooked chicken.
• Whisk: Crucial for creating smooth, lump-free gravy.
• Fine-mesh strainer: Ensures a silky, clean gravy texture.
• Measuring spoons: For precise seasoning and ingredient amounts.
• Meat thermometer: Guarantees the chicken reaches safe internal temperature.

How to Make Barefoot Contessa Roast Chicken

• Fire Up The Oven

Preheat the oven to a blazing 425°F. Grab your whole chicken and clear out the inner cavity. Rinse under cool water and dry completely with paper towels.

• Infuse With Flavor

Massage salt and pepper inside the chicken’s cavity. Stuff with fragrant thyme, juicy lemon halves, and aromatic garlic cloves. Generously coat the skin with melted butter, adding an extra sprinkle of seasoning.

• Prepare For Roasting

Tie the chicken’s legs together using kitchen twine and tuck the wing tips neatly underneath. Place the bird in a roasting pan surrounded by sliced onions that will caramelize and add depth to the dish.

• Roast To Perfection

Cook the chicken for about 1.5 hours. Check for doneness by ensuring juices run clear when piercing between the leg and thigh. The internal temperature should hit 165°F, guaranteeing a succulent and safe meal.

• Create Luxurious Gravy

After removing the chicken, let it rest under foil. Transform the pan drippings into a rich gravy by adding chicken stock, reducing the liquid, and whisking in a flour mixture. Strain and season to elevate the sauce’s flavor.

• Serve And Savor

Carve the golden-brown chicken and drizzle with the velvety gravy. Delight in your perfectly roasted centerpiece that’s sure to impress everyone at the table.

Change It Up with Barefoot Contessa Roast Chicken

• Supercharge Your Roast Chicken
• Elevate this classic dish with pro techniques that transform an ordinary meal into a restaurant-worthy experience.
• Herb Infusion Hack
• Gently slide fresh herb sprigs under the chicken skin before roasting. Rosemary, thyme, and sage create incredible flavor depth without overwhelming the meat's natural taste.
• Temperature Control Trick
• Let the chicken rest at room temperature for 30 minutes before roasting. This simple step ensures even cooking and helps achieve that gorgeous golden-brown skin everyone craves.
• Crispy Skin Secret
• Pat the chicken skin extremely dry before brushing with butter. The drier the skin, the more beautifully it will crisp up, creating a delectable crackly exterior that's irresistibly crunchy.
• Versatile Flavor Swap
• Replace lemon with orange for a sweeter citrus note. Swap thyme with rosemary or add whole garlic heads to the roasting pan. Experiment with different spice blends like smoked paprika or herbes de Provence to customize your chicken's flavor profile.

Best Ways to Serve Barefoot Contessa Roast Chicken

• Elevate Your Roasted Chicken Experience
• Pair with Roasted Vegetables: Accompany the succulent chicken with crispy roasted carrots, parsnips, and Brussels sprouts drizzled with remaining pan juices for a complete meal bursting with flavor.
• Create a Fresh Side Salad: Toss a light mixed greens salad with lemon vinaigrette to balance the rich, buttery chicken and cut through the intense roasted flavors.
• Wine Pairing Perfection: Complement the herb-infused chicken with a crisp white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or a light Pinot Noir to enhance the dish's delicate herb and lemon notes.
• Bread Basket Bonus: Serve warm, crusty artisan bread to soak up the delectable gravy and capture every last drop of the flavorful pan drippings.

Storage Solutions for Barefoot Contessa Roast Chicken

• Preserve Peak Freshness: Store leftover roasted chicken in airtight containers within 2 hours of cooking, keeping refrigerated for 3-4 days.
• Freeze Like a Pro: Slice or shred chicken and freeze in sealed freezer bags for up to 3 months, ensuring maximum flavor retention.
• Smart Reheating Strategy: Warm chicken gently in 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes, covering with foil to prevent drying out and maintain juicy texture.
• Meal Prep Magic: Transform leftover roasted chicken into salads, sandwiches, or quick pasta dishes, extending your delicious meal's versatility and reducing food waste.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Calories: 350 kcal

Servings: 4

Ingredient List for Barefoot Contessa Roast Chicken

• Fresh Thyme: Select bright green, fragrant sprigs without wilting or brown spots.
• Lemon: Choose firm, heavy citrus with vibrant yellow color and smooth skin.
• Garlic Cloves: Pick plump, firm bulbs with tight, unbroken skin and no sprouting.

• Whole Chicken: Select fresh, organic bird with pink skin and no discoloration.
• Salt: Opt for kosher or sea salt with clean, pure crystal structure.
• Black Pepper: Choose whole peppercorns for freshest, most intense flavor.
• Melted Butter: Use high-quality unsalted butter for rich, smooth coating.
• Kitchen Twine: Select food-grade cotton twine for secure trussing.

• Onions: Pick firm, heavy onions with shiny, unblemished outer layers.
• Chicken Stock: Select low-sodium, rich stock without artificial additives.
• All-Purpose Flour: Choose unbleached flour for smooth, consistent texture.

Succulent Barefoot Contessa Roast Chicken Recipe

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4.8 from 29 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s roast chicken brings classic elegance to dinner tables with minimal ingredients and maximum flavor. Herb-seasoned and perfectly roasted, this simple chicken creates a memorable meal that delights home cooks and dinner guests alike.

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Ingredients

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• 1 whole chicken (about 4–5 lbs/1.8–2.3 kg)
• 1 bunch thyme
• 1 lemon, halved
• 1 head garlic, halved
• 1 large onion, sliced
• 2 tbsps (30 ml) butter, melted
• 2 tbsps (30 ml) flour
• 2 cups (480 ml) chicken stock
• Salt to taste
• Pepper to taste

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Position oven rack in the middle, preheat to 425°F. Remove chicken’s internal organs, rinse thoroughly, and pat completely dry with paper towels.
2. Seasoning: Generously salt and pepper chicken’s interior cavity. Stuff with fresh thyme sprigs, lemon halves, and crushed garlic cloves to infuse aromatic flavors.
3. Exterior Treatment: Brush entire chicken surface with melted butter, then sprinkle with additional salt and cracked pepper to enhance flavor and create crispy skin.
4. Trussing: Secure chicken legs using kitchen twine, creating a compact shape. Tuck wing tips underneath the body to promote uniform browning and consistent cooking.
5. Roasting Setup: Place chicken in a large roasting pan, surrounding it with thinly sliced yellow onions to create a flavorful foundation and aromatic base.
6. Cooking Process: Roast for approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F and meat juices run clear when pierced between leg and thigh.
7. Resting and Gravy Preparation: Remove chicken from oven, tent loosely with foil for 10-15 minutes. Meanwhile, deglaze roasting pan with chicken stock, whisking reserved fat and flour to create a smooth roux.
8. Finishing Touches: Simmer gravy until thickened, strain through fine-mesh sieve, and season with additional salt and pepper. Carve chicken into elegant serving pieces and serve with warm, velvety gravy.

Notes

• Prep Like a Pro: Pat chicken completely dry to ensure crispy, golden-brown skin that seals in delicious juices and prevents steaming.
• Temperature Triumph: Use a reliable meat thermometer to guarantee perfectly cooked chicken, avoiding both undercooking and dry meat.
• Flavor Infusion: Allow chicken to rest after roasting, which helps redistribute internal juices and creates more tender, succulent meat.
• Twine Technique: Properly trussing the chicken ensures even cooking and helps maintain a beautiful, compact presentation on the plate.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Roasting
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 4 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 38 g
• Cholesterol: 110 mg