French Laundry food is famously exquisite, requiring an insane amount of preparation for each dish.
But for whatever reason, this roast chicken recipe is now the only way Dad will roast a chicken.
How To Roast Chicken?
Elise Bauer
Cooking a whole chicken takes practice.
But the results are just so darn good, he kept at it and now puts it together easily.
Making in Roast Chicken in a Cast Iron Skillet
Cast iron conducts heat efficiently.
Elise Bauer
Do you oughta Debone and Truss the Chicken?
Trussing the chicken makes for more even roasting so you may choose to keep this step.
When is the Roast Chicken Ready?
Elise Bauer
It will roast up crispier this way.
(Save for stock.)
Use a paring knife to cut away the wishbone from the neck/breast area of the chicken.
Elise Bauer
You will probably have to use your fingers to feel around for it.
Generously season the cavity of the chicken with salt and pepper.
Cut a 3-foot section of cotton kitchen string.
Elise Bauer
Place the chicken so that it is breast up, and the legs pointing toward you.
Tuck the wing tips under the chicken.
Then cross the string under the breast (above the cavity and between the legs).
Elise Bauer
Wrap each end around the closest leg end, and tie tightly so that the legs come together.
Place the vegetables, onions, garlic, and remaining thyme sprig into a bowl.
Add 1/4 cup of olive oil and toss with your hands until well coated.
Elise Bauer
Season generously with salt and pepper.
My father likes to leave out the potatoes at this stage and arrange them around the chicken.
Spread the remaining olive oil over the chicken skin.
Elise Bauer
Season with salt and pepper.
Place the chicken on the bed of vegetables.
Slather the top of the chicken breasts with butter.
Elise Bauer
But it still worked.)
Place the pan in the oven and roast the chicken for 25 minutes at 475F.
you could keep the vegetables warm by keeping them in the now-turned-off oven while the chicken is resting.
Elise Bauer
Stir to coat the vegetables with the cooking juices before serving.
Place vegetables on a serving platter with the chicken pieces arranged on top.
