Best Lemon Roasted Chicken Recipes

ROASTED CHICKEN THIGHS WITH LEMON, THYME AND ROSEMARY

Steps:

• Pat chicken thighs dry and place, skin side up, in a single layer on a baking sheet. Place in refrigerator, uncovered, for 8 hours or overnight to dry skin. Remove chicken from refrigerator at least 45 minutes before cooking.
• Heat oven to 500 degrees. Spread onion slices and garlic cloves in a baking dish that can hold the chicken snugly in a single layer. Scatter lemon on the onion-garlic mixture and strew with thyme and rosemary sprigs.
• Remove chicken from baking sheet and place on several layers of paper towels, skin side down. Sprinkle with half the salt and pepper. Turn thighs over and season with remaining salt and pepper. Transfer to the baking dish skin side up. Use your hands to arrange the bed of onions and garlic so they're completely under the chicken.
• Bake for 40 to 50 minutes, until juices run clear when chicken is pierced with a knife point. If skin is not a deep golden brown and crispy, turn on broiler and broil chicken close to heat a few minutes to crisp and brown it.
• To serve, move chicken off the bed of onions, garlic, lemon and herbs. Discard lemon and spoon the rest of the ingredients, along with pan juices, onto a serving platter. Place chicken on top and serve.

SKILLET-ROASTED LEMON CHICKEN

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
• Place the thyme, fennel seeds, 1 tablespoon salt, and 1 teaspoon pepper in a mini food processor and process until ground. Pour the olive oil into a small glass measuring cup, stir in the herb mixture, and set aside.
• Distribute the lemon slices in a 12-inch cast iron skillet and distribute the onion and garlic on top. Place the chicken, skin side down, on top of the onion and brush with about half the oil and herb mixture. Turn the chicken skin side up, pat it dry with paper towels (very important!), and brush it all over with the rest of the oil and herb mixture.
• Roast the chicken for 30 minutes. Pour the wine into the pan (not on the chicken!) and roast for another 10 to15 minutes, until a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the breast registers 155 to 160 degrees.
• Remove the chicken from the oven, sprinkle it with the lemon juice, cover the skillet tightly with aluminum foil, and allow to rest for 10 to 15 minutes. Cut the chicken in quarters or eighths, sprinkle with salt, and serve hot with the pan juices, cooked lemon, and onion.

PAN-ROASTED CHICKEN WITH LEMON-GARLIC BRUSSELS SPROUTS AND POTATOES

Steps:

• Place the bacon in a large, deep skillet, and cook over medium-high heat, turning occasionally, until lightly browned but still soft, about 5 minutes. Drain the bacon slices on a paper towel-lined plate.
• Preheat an oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C).
• Coat a large baking dish or cast iron skillet with 1 tablespoon olive oil.
• Arrange lemon slices in a single layer on the bottom of the baking dish.
• Stir remaining 5 tablespoons olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, kosher salt, and black pepper together in a large bowl.
• Toss Brussels sprouts in lemon juice mixture to coat; transfer to the prepared baking dish with a slotted spoon, draining excess liquid back into the bowl.
• Place bacon on top of the Brussels sprouts.
• Toss potatoes in the same lemon juice mixture used for the Brussels sprouts.
• Remove potatoes with slotted spoon and arrange along the inside edge of the baking dish.
• Coat chicken breast halves thoroughly in the remaining lemon mixture.
• Place chicken breasts skin-side up in the skillet; pour any remaining lemon juice mixture over chicken.
• Bake in the preheated oven until chicken no longer pink at the bone and the juices run clear, about 60 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted near the bone should read 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).

ROASTED CHICKEN WITH LEMON, GARLIC, AND THYME

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Rinse the chicken and pat it dry.
• In a small bowl, make a compound butter by combining the softened butter, minced thyme, garlic cloves, lemon zest, salt, and pepper.
• Season the cavity of the chicken generously with salt, and pepper. Stuff the cavity with the lemon quarters, a handful of fresh thyme leaves, and the quartered onion. Place the carrot, celery and onion in the bottom of a roasting pan and place the chicken on top of the vegetables. Cross the legs and tie with kitchen twine.
• Gently lift the skin away from the chicken and spread 2 tablespoons of the softened butter mixture underneath the skin, distributing it evenly. Spread the remaining butter over the entire surface of the chicken and season generously with salt, and pepper.
• Place the chicken in the oven and roast for 20 minutes. Reduce the oven temperature to 375 degrees F and roast the chicken until a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the inner thigh, not touching the bone registers 160 to 165 degrees F, about 45 minutes. Transfer the chicken and vegetables to a cutting board to rest for about 15 minutes. Tent the chicken with aluminum foil to keep warm.
• Pour the pan juices into a large glass measuring cup. Spoon the fat off the top. Add the chicken broth to the roasting pan and place over high heat. Bring to boil, scraping up any browned bits. Return the pan juices to the pan. Whisk the flour into the broth mixture and bring to a boil until slightly thickened, about 2 minutes. Season the sauce to taste with salt, and pepper. Serve alongside the roast chicken.
• Roasted Chicken Variations:
• Honey-Glazed Chicken: Season the butter with 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg, and 2 tablespoons honey.
• Soy-Ginger Chicken: Season the butter with 1 tablespoon minced garlic, 2 teaspoons fresh ginger, and 2 teaspoons soy sauce.

LEMON AND HERB CHICKEN WITH ASPARAGUS AND ROASTED RED POTATOES FOR TWO

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Place the potatoes on a baking sheet and drizzle 1 tablespoon olive oil all over the potatoes. Sprinkle the garlic powder and some salt and pepper on top. Toss with your hands to coat all sides of the potatoes with the oil and seasoning. Bake, rotating the pan and flipping the potatoes halfway through, until fork-tender, 20 to 25 minutes.
• Meanwhile, add the remaining teaspoon olive oil to a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sprinkle the Italian seasoning, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper onto the chicken breasts and gently pat it down with your fingers. Add the chicken breasts to the hot skillet and brown on both sides, 3 to 4 minutes per side. Remove from the skillet and reduce the heat to low.
• Melt the butter in the skillet then sprinkle flour on top of the butter. Whisk to cook off the raw flour taste, 1 minute, then carefully add the chicken stock, vigorously whisking. Add the lemon zest and juice. Let cook, whisking occasionally, until thickened, 5 to 7 minutes. Add the asparagus to the pot and cook until the asparagus has softened but is still bright green, about 7 minutes.
• Add the chicken back into the skillet and cook to ensure it's cooked thoroughly, another 3 minutes. Coat the chicken with sauce from the pan.
• Place 1 piece of chicken on each of 2 plates, then divide the roasted potatoes between the plates next to the chicken. Place half of the asparagus on each plate and drizzle some sauce on top. Use the juice of the remaining lemon half on top of the dish if you desire more lemon flavor.

CHILE-ROASTED CHICKEN WITH HONEY, LEMON AND FETA

Steps:

• Season chicken all over with salt and pepper. In a large bowl, mix together garlic, honey, olive oil and 1/4 teaspoon red-pepper flakes. Add chicken and toss well with your hands, spreading the garlic paste all over the chicken pieces. (Don't worry if the honey is a little clumpy.) Add rosemary sprigs and lemon slices and toss to combine. Let marinate at room temperature for 30 minutes, or up to 8 hours in the refrigerator.
• Heat oven to 425 degrees. Line a sheet pan with a silicone liner or parchment paper.
• Spread chicken and lemons across a single layer in the lined pan, tucking in the rosemary sprigs. Drizzle oil generously over everything. Roast for 20 minutes.
• Using tongs, turn over the chicken pieces, and give the lemons a stir. Sprinkle feta on top. Continue to bake for 20 to 25 minutes longer, until the chicken is deeply bronzed and cooked through, and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh or drumstick registers 165 degrees. Serve garnished with chopped herbs and more red-pepper flakes, if you like.

LEMON AND HERB ROASTED CHICKEN WITH BABY POTATOES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Rinse the chicken with cool water, inside and out, then pat it dry with paper towels. Season the cavity with salt and pepper, and then stuff the lemon, garlic, and herbs inside. Place the chicken, breast-side up, in a roasting pan. Tie the legs of the chicken together with kitchen twine to help hold its shape. Toss the potatoes around the chicken. Season the whole thing with a fair amount of salt and pepper and drizzle with olive oil. Roast the chicken and potatoes for 1 to 1 1/2 hours. Don't forget to baste the chicken with the drippings and rotate the pan every 20 minutes or so to insure a golden crispy skin. The chicken is done when an instant-read thermometer says 165 degrees F when inserted into the thickest part of the thigh (the legs of the chicken should wiggle easily from the sockets too.) Remove the chicken to a platter and let stand for 10 minutes, so the juices settle back into the meat before carving. Serve with the roasted potatoes on the side.

ROASTED LEMON CHICKEN

Steps:

• Loosen skin around chicken breast, leg and thigh. Combine the seasonings; rub half under skin. Cut half of the lemon into quarters and place in the cavity along with rosemary sprigs. Skewer openings; tie drumsticks together with kitchen string. , Place chicken breast side up on a rack in a roasting pan. Squeeze the remaining lemon over chicken; rub with remaining spice mixture. Bake, uncovered, at 375° for 1 to 1-1/2 hours or until chicken juices run clear and a thermometer reads 180° (cover loosely with foil if browning too quickly). Cover and let stand for 15 minutes. Remove and discard skin, and discard lemon and herbs from cavity before carving.

LEMON & THYME ROASTED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. Mix minced thyme, salt, garlic powder and pepper. Place chicken on a rack in a shallow roasting pan, breast side up. Tuck wings under chicken; tie drumsticks together. Squeeze juice from lemon halves over chicken; sprinkle with thyme mixture., Loosely stuff chicken with squeezed lemon halves, onion, thyme sprigs and garlic. Roast 1-1/2 to 2 hours or until a thermometer inserted in thickest part of thigh reads 170°-175°. (Cover loosely with foil if chicken browns too quickly.), Remove chicken from oven; tent with foil. Let stand 15 minutes before carving. Serve with lemon wedges.

LEMON-HERB CHICKEN WITH ROASTED POTATOES AND EASY CAESAR SALAD

Steps:

• Chicken:
• Mix lemon juice, basil, oregano and garlic. Season chicken with salt and pepper. Heat oil over medium heat in a large skillet. Cook chicken 8 minutes; turn and cook 5 minutes more. Add lemon-juice mixture and stir up anything stuck to skillet. Reduce heat and cover; simmer until cooked through, about 6 minutes.
• Potatoes:
• Heat oven to 450°F. Toss all ingredients in a roasting pan and cover with foil. Cook 20 minutes. Remove foil; cook 20 minutes more, stirring once.
• Salad:
• Toast bread until very crisp, then rub each slice with 1 teaspoon garlic. Beat remaining 1 teaspoon garlic with anchovies, lemon juice, oil and salt with a fork in a salad bowl until well emulsified. Add lettuce; toss to evenly coat leaves. Grind black pepper over salad. Dice garlic toast and add croutons to salad. Toss again to mix well. Serve salad immediately.

CHICKEN WITH ROASTED LEMON AND ROSEMARY SAUCE

Steps:

• Preheat the broiler.
• Cut a small slice off both ends of each lemon, and then cut in half crosswise. Arrange the lemons, flesh side up, in a flameproof nonreactive baking dish, and season with salt. Broil 6 inches or more from the heat until browned and soft, about 10 minutes. Cool slightly. Squeeze the lemon halves over a sieve suspended over a bowl. Push and stir the pulp through the sieve with a rubber spatula or wooden spoon to get as much juice out as possible. Discard the lemon peels.
• Reduce oven temperature to 425 degrees F.
• Season chicken with salt and pepper. Heat the olive oil in a large ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat until hot. Add the chicken, lower the heat to medium, and cook, turning once, until brown on both sides, about 5 minutes. Remove chicken to a plate or baking sheet.
• Return the pan to medium-high heat, add the potatoes, season with salt and pepper, and cook, stirring and tossing, until brown all over, about 10 minutes. Drain off the excess oil. Arrange the chicken breasts on top of the potatoes and place in the oven until potatoes and chicken are cooked through, about 10 to 15 minutes. Remove the chicken to a platter and put the pan with the potatoes over medium-high heat. Toss well so the pan juices are absorbed into the potatoes. Scrape the potatoes out of the pan onto the platter around the chicken.
• Return the pan to medium-high heat, add the garlic and rosemary, and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add 1 cup of chicken broth and reserved lemon juice. Stir and scrape up all the browned bits that cling to the bottom and sides of the pan, and then add the remaining 1 cup broth. Bring to a simmer stir in parsley and season to taste with salt and pepper. If the sauce tastes too lemony, stir in the optional butter. Pour the sauce over the chicken and potatoes and serve immediately, garnished with rosemary sprigs

BRAISE-ROASTED CHICKEN WITH LEMON AND CARROTS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C).
• Pat chicken dry with paper towels. Cut backbone from chicken using kitchen shears and save backbone for another use. Flip chicken, breast-side up, and forcefully press chicken down to flatten; season generously with salt.
• Heat olive oil in a large oven-safe cast iron skillet over medium-high heat; pan-fry chicken, skin-side down, until golden, 6 to 7 minutes. Transfer chicken to a plate, skin-side up.
• Cook and stir onion in oil in the same skillet until softened, 2 to 3 minutes. Add beer, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet. Continue cooking until most of the beer is reduced, 2 to 4 minutes more. Stir chicken broth, carrots, lemon, rosemary, and thyme into beer mixture. Arrange chicken, skin-side up, over vegetables.
• Roast in the preheated oven until chicken is golden brown and crispy, about 50 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh, near the bone should read 165 degrees F (74 degrees C). Transfer chicken and vegetables to a large platter and let rest, uncovered.
• Bring remaining broth and juices in the skillet to a boil and cook until sauce is thickened, about 10 minutes. Season sauce with salt.
• Slice chicken and serve with sauce.

LEMON-ROASTED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Fill chicken cavity with celery, onion and apple. Tuck wings under chicken; tie drumsticks together. Place in a 6-qt. slow cooker, breast side up. Rub chicken with oil; rub with rosemary, salt, thyme, paprika, garlic and pepper. Top with lemon., Cook, covered, on low until a thermometer inserted in thickest part of thigh reads at least 170°-175°, 4-5 hours. Remove chicken from slow cooker; tent with foil. Discard vegetables and apple. Let chicken stand 15 minutes before carving.

OVEN ROASTED CHICKEN WITH LEMON, GARLIC AND ROSEMARY

Steps:

• Cut chicken in half lenghtwise.
• Place in large oven proof dish.
• Squeeze juice from the lemons over the chicken.
• Add the lemon to the dish along with garlic, rosemary, red pepper, salt and pepper.
• Marinate for 2 hours, turning chicken a few times.
• Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
• Roast chicken for 45 minutes.
• Can broil at the end for darker, crisp skin.
• Cut into serving pieces.

ROASTED GARLIC-GLAZED CHICKEN WITH LEMON-HERB SAUCE

Steps:

• For the Roasted Garlic Glaze:.
• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
• Cut off the top third of each head of garlic.
• Put them on a parchment or foil-lined baking sheet, drizzle 2 tablespoons of the oil over the tops, and sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon of the salt and 1/4 teaspoon of the pepper.
• Turn the garlic cut side down and roast until the cloves are soft and golden brown, about 1 hour.
• Remove from the oven and let sit until cool enough to handle.
• Into a food processor squeeze each head of garlic gently to release the flesh.
• Add the egg yolks, lemon juice, and the remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper and puree on high speed.
• Add the remaining 1/2 cup of oil in a slow, steady stream and process until the glaze is thick and smooth.
• Transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate until ready to use.
• (The glaze can be made up to 1 day in advance).
• For the Chicken:.
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Separate the legs& thighs.
• Season the chicken on both sides with the Essence.
• Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in each of 2 large ovenproof skillets over medium-high heat.
• Place the chicken pieces skin side down in the hot pans and sear for 6 minutes.
• Remove from the heat.
• Add 2 tablespoons of the butter and 2 sprigs of thyme to each pan, and place in the oven.
• Roast for 16 minutes.
• Remove from the oven and carefully turn the chicken halves with tongs.
• Brush the skin side of each chicken with the garlic glaze and roast skin side up until the skin is crisp, about 10 minutes longer.
• For the Lemon Herb Sauce:.
• In a small saucepan, bring the chicken stock to a simmer.
• Transfer to a blender or food processor.
• Add the mustard and process on high speed.
• With the motor running, add the lemon juice, olive oil, and herbs, and process until smooth.
• Serve immediately.

SLOW-ROASTED LEMON DILL CHICKEN

Steps:

• Place onions on bottom of a 6-qt. slow cooker. In a small bowl, mix butter and lemon zest., Tuck wings under chicken; tie drumsticks together. With fingers, carefully loosen skin from chicken breast; rub butter mixture under the skin. Secure skin to underside of breast with toothpicks. Place chicken over onions, breast side up. Add stock, parsley and dill., Drizzle lemon juice over chicken; sprinkle with seasonings. Cook, covered, on low 4-5 hours (a thermometer inserted in thigh should read at least 170°)., Remove chicken from slow cooker; tent with foil. Let stand 15 minutes before carving.

LEMON-GINGER CHICKEN WITH ROASTED ROOT VEGETABLES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425°F. Whisk first 6 ingredients in small bowl. Rinse chickens inside and out; pat dry. Rub oil mixture in cavities and over outside of chickens. Tie legs together with string to hold shape. Tuck wing tips under. Place chickens on rack set in large roasting pan. Roast chickens until juices run clear when thigh is pierced or until thermometer inserted into thickest part of thigh registers 180°F, about 1 hour 15 minutes.
• Transfer chickens to platter. Pour pan juices into medium bowl; spoon off fat and discard. Drizzle juices over chickens. Surround chickens with Roasted Root Vegetables. Sprinkle vegetables with parsley.

LEMON GARLIC ROASTED CHICKEN THIGHS

Steps:

• Spray a deep baking dish, or roaster with non stick spray.
• Combine 1 TBS of olive oil, the juice and zest of both lemons, plus the additional lemon juice, and the 4 cloves of garlic minced in a small bowl.
• Place the chicken in the roasting pan.
• Sprinkle liberally with the Lemon Pepper Salt.
• Pour the lemon mixture over all- you can throw the lemon rinds into the baking dish too.
• Bake at 400 for about 45 minutes to an hour, turning the chicken over halfway through baking.
• I sometimes make this, and seal it in a ziplock bag in the freezer, then when you are ready, thaw, dump in the roaster and bake- just adding the lemon pepper salt.
• My family likes this when I take the sauce from the chicken, combine it with a small amount of half and half and serve it over pasta.

ROASTED CHICKEN WITH LEMON SAUCE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. Pat chicken dry. Cut lemon in half; squeeze juice over chicken. Place lemon in cavity. Rub garlic over chicken; sprinkle with salt and pepper., Place chicken on a rack in a shallow roasting pan. Roast 2 to 2-1/2 hours or until a thermometer inserted in thickest part of thigh reads 170°-175°, basting occasionally with pan juices and adding carrots and onion during the last hour. Cover loosely with foil if chicken browns too quickly. , Remove chicken from oven; tent with foil. Let stand 15 minutes before carving., Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, combine sugar and cornstarch. Stir in water until smooth. Bring to a boil; cook and stir 2 minutes or until thickened. Remove from heat. Stir in lemon juice, lemon zest and food coloring if desired. , Serve sauce with chicken and vegetables. Sprinkle with green onion. Freeze option: Cool chicken, vegetables and sauce. Cut chicken into parts and freeze along with vegetables and sauce in freezer containers. To use, partially thaw in refrigerator overnight. Heat through slowly in a covered skillet until a thermometer inserted in chicken reads 165°, stirring occasionally and adding a little broth or water if necessary. Serve as directed.

GARLIC AND ROSEMARY LEMON-ROASTED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with foil.
• Roll the lemon and cut in half lengthwise. Slice one half into quarters and set the other half aside for baking and basting. Cut onion into 4 pieces; slice one piece and sprinkle on the prepared baking sheet. Set remaining onion pieces aside.
• Mix garlic salt, sage, turmeric, basil, rosemary, and pepper together until well combined; divide evenly into 2 bowls.
• Rinse chicken in cold water and dry off. Trim and discard excess fat and separate skin from meat. Stuff inside of the chicken with arugula, 4 lemon slices, 3 onion pieces, and garlic cloves. Tie the legs together with twine. Spread 2 tablespoons ghee underneath the skin and another 2 tablespoons ghee on top of the skin, all over the chicken.
• Add 2 tablespoon ghee and butter to one bowl of spices. Microwave for 45 seconds. Stir and spread underneath the skin. Microwave remaining 1 tablespoon ghee and brush on top of skin. Sprinkle remaining seasoning all over chicken and pat into the skin; do not rub. Lightly squeeze some of the remaining lemon half on top of chicken and place chicken, breast-side up, on the onion slices on the baking sheet.
• Bake in the preheated oven until no longer pink at the bone and the juices run clear, about 1 hour and 30 minutes, basting with juices and remaining lemon juice every 30 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh, near the bone, should read 165 degrees F (74 degrees C). Remove from the oven and let rest for 10 minutes before slicing, continuing to baste.