Why Dominique Crenn Doesn't Order Roasted Chicken From Restaurants

Roast chicken is one of those meals that's simultaneously comforting and incredibly savory at the same time. It's typically prepared by roasting the meat over a fire or a rotary spit, using its own fat and juices to marinate it; the ideal outcome is a crispy exterior while the interior is flavorful and tender. Another great thing about this poultry dish is that there are many different ways to make it, from using herbs to coating it in a marinade of Indonesian spices. But while many people's mouths might start to water after seeing roast chicken on a restaurant menu, the same can't be said of Dominique Crenn.

The Michelin-starred chef at Atelier Crenn in San Francisco, California, is known for her innovative French cuisine that features entrees like sea urchin and stone fruit. Her unique dishes are not only stunning to look at it, but they're also a delight to your tastebuds. So when it comes to what Crenn will order at other establishments, it's safe to say her standards are understandably pretty high.

Dominique Crenn told Yahoo! that her mother made an incredible roasted chicken with apples, so the award-winning chef is very hesitant to order it when she sees it on a restaurant's menu because she understands how difficult it is to make. Even she gets ready for a long process when she chooses to make it herself. "I don't just put a chicken in my roaster pan and leave to walk the dog," she explained. "It's a process — you have to watch it, you have to love it and it's all about the timing of the flavor."

The restaurateur isn't wrong. Creating the perfect consistency in a roast chicken isn't easy, but it's definitely worth the effort. Our recipe for herb-roasted chicken involves brining the bird overnight with salt, honey, sugar, peppercorns, thyme, bay leaves, garlic, onion, and lemon. The next day, the chicken is slathered with butter, salt, thyme, pepper, lemon zest, and garlic before being cooked, which also involves basting it every 15 minutes for an hour. While a good roast chicken may require some patience, you'll thank us after you take your first bite of its perfectly juicy meat.