i am not a natural cook. my mother can look in the fridge, pull out a few things and create something yummy with what’s there, but i have to follow a recipe. i can only go a little rogue after i’ve made something about a bazillion times… which is what happened with the barefoot contessa’s perfect roast chicken. i started making this chicken around fifteen years ago when we were living in san francisco. it felt pretty grown up to me to pull a chicken out of the oven, rather than out of a whole foods plastic container when throwing a dinner party. and it makes your house smell cozy and amazing as well. i never did manage to learn the gravy part of the recipe - the only one in my family who can make a proper gravy is my GG - the rest of us have to cheat with packets or gravy kits when she’s not around. in reviewing barefoot’s recipe, i realize that i’ve changed it quite a bit… i switched out the thyme for rosemary and added carrots and green beans and potatoes to the onions so you end up with a whole pan of roasted vegetables and a truly one pan meal. but whether you follow barefoot exactly or try it my way, this chicken is surefire and what i always make when i have someone new coming to dinner and don’t want to mess up.