This dish features a whole chicken, seasoned and stuffed with lemon, garlic, thyme, and onion, then roasted until golden and juicy. It’s Ina’s take on a timeless roast chicken, made with minimal ingredients and a foolproof technique. The name comes from its reputation: many people who cook it reportedly receive a marriage proposal shortly afterward!
1 (4 to 5-pound) whole chicken, giblets removed
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 lemon, halved
1 whole head of garlic, halved crosswise
1 large yellow onion, thickly sliced
3–4 sprigs fresh thyme (or rosemary)
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
Optional: carrots, potatoes, or parsnips, chopped, for roasting in the pan
Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Pat the chicken dry with paper towels (very important for crispy skin).
Generously season the inside of the chicken cavity with salt and pepper. Stuff the cavity with lemon halves, halved garlic, thyme sprigs, and a few slices of onion.
Tie the chicken legs together with kitchen string and tuck the wing tips under the body. Place the remaining onion slices (and vegetables, if using) in the bottom of a roasting pan or oven-safe skillet. Set the chicken on top.
Brush the outside of the chicken with melted butter and season generously with salt and pepper. Roast for 1 hour 15 minutes, or until the juices run clear when you cut between the leg and thigh and the internal temperature reads 165°F.
Remove the chicken from the oven, cover loosely with foil, and let rest for 10–15 minutes. Carve and serve with pan juices spooned over the top.
Find it online: https://inagartencooks.com/ina-garten-engagement-roast-chicken/