Description
Sizzling michael symon lemon chicken brings Mediterranean flavors to home kitchens with zesty, herb-infused marinade. Juicy chicken emerges from roasting with crisp skin and tangy notes that promise a delightful meal you will want to savor repeatedly.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3–4 lbs chicken parts (thighs and legs), skin-on, bone-in, trimmed
- 2 tbsps fresh chopped thyme (or 2 tsp dried)
- 2 tsp fresh chopped rosemary (or ½ tsp dried)
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 2 cloves garlic, crushed
- 4 tsp lemon zest (about zest from 2 lemons)
- ⅓ cup lemon juice
- 2 tbsps butter, melted
- Lemon slices for garnish
Instructions
- Marinade Preparation: Whisk together minced garlic, thyme leaves, rosemary, kosher salt, black pepper, lemon juice, and lemon zest in a non-reactive mixing bowl until thoroughly combined.
- Chicken Preparation: Butterfly chicken pieces by carefully slicing horizontally to create thinner, more even portions that will absorb marinade more effectively. Submerge chicken completely in the marinade, ensuring full coverage. Refrigerate for 90-120 minutes to allow deep flavor infusion.
- Oven Preheating and Initial Roasting: Heat oven to 425°F (218°C). Transfer marinated chicken to a large baking dish, arranging pieces in a single layer with skin facing upward. Remove chicken from marinade, reserving liquid. Brush each piece generously with melted butter.
- Roasting and Monitoring: Bake chicken for 20 minutes, then baste liberally with reserved marinade. Continue roasting until skin turns golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C), approximately 35-45 total minutes. Use a meat thermometer to check doneness across different chicken cuts.
- Resting and Serving: Remove chicken from oven and tent with aluminum foil for 10 minutes to redistribute internal juices. Skim excess fat from pan drippings, using responsibly for future cooking or proper disposal.
Notes
- Marinate Thoroughly: Let chicken soak in lemon-herb mixture for at least 90 minutes to ensure deep flavor penetration and tenderize meat.
- Butterfly with Care: Slice chicken pieces horizontally to create even thickness, promoting uniform cooking and maximum marinade absorption.
- Temperature Precision: Use a meat thermometer to confirm chicken reaches 165°F (74°C), preventing undercooking while maintaining juicy texture.
- Rest and Redistribute: Cover chicken with foil for 10 minutes after cooking, allowing internal juices to settle and ensuring each bite remains succulent and flavorful.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: British
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 590 mg
- Fat: 19 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 4 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg