Amy Poehler's Favorite Ina Garten Roast Chicken Recipe

The Perfect Roast Chicken Connection Between Amy Poehler and Ina Garten

Recently, comedian and actress Amy Poehler shared her deep admiration for celebrity chef Ina Garten on her podcast Good Hang with Amy Poehler, highlighting how Garten's simple yet impactful approach to cooking has transformed her kitchen experience. Their heartwarming conversation centered around one dish: Garten's legendary roast chicken recipe.

"I make your roast chicken with fennel, that's my favorite recipe," Poehler praised. "You take what you know and what you've learned and you make people understand it, and that is a rare skill. You taught me how to make a roast chicken, but it's bigger than that and deeper than that."

In response, Garten emphasized the communal power of cooking. "It's not about the chicken, it's about how when you cook, everybody shows up and you create a community around yourself," she explained. "We all need to feel like we're part of something... and a roast chicken is the most basic thing. I don't think there's a culture in the world that doesn't have some kind of roast chicken."

Ina Garten's Perfect Roast Chicken Recipe Steps

Garten's approachable technique has made this comfort food accessible for home cooks of all skill levels. Here's how to recreate Poehler's favorite meal:

Ingredients

• 5- to 6-pound roasting chicken
• Salt and pepper
• Fresh thyme
• 1 lemon
• 1 head of garlic
• Butter
• Chopped vegetables (onions, carrots, fennel)
• Olive oil

Preparation

1. Remove giblets and pat chicken dry.
2. Season inside cavity with salt and pepper.
3. Stuff with halved lemon, halved garlic head, and thyme.
4. Brush exterior with melted butter, then season again with salt and pepper.
5. Tie legs together and tuck wings beneath the body.
6. Toss vegetables with olive oil and spread in roasting pan.
7. Place chicken on vegetables and roast at 450°F (230°C) for 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes.

Doneness Check

Garten shares two simple tests: "The first test is to shake hands with its leg. If it wobbles, it's perfect. The second one is to cut between the leg and the thigh and just make sure the juices are running clear."

Why This Recipe Builds Culinary Confidence

As Garten notes, mastering roast chicken is transformative. "Roast chicken: I can do this in my sleep," she says. "Roast chicken is the best kind of comfort food, and the good news is it can be a really simple meal or it can be an elegant one."

Beyond its deliciousness, the dish offers practical benefits. One EatingWell editor roasts a chicken weekly to simplify weeknight dinners and prepare homemade stock. "Having some roast chicken in your fridge is a great way to get protein throughout the week," they note.

The recipe's universal appeal lies in its ability to create connection. As Garten emphasizes, cooking brings people together, making this seemingly simple dish a foundation for shared meals and memories.

Ready to try Garten's technique? As Poehler discovered, learning to roast a chicken isn't just about dinner—it's about gaining confidence and joining a global culinary tradition.