Description
A flavorful and juicy lemon roasted chicken recipe featuring a zesty lemon and garlic butter mixture rubbed under and over the chicken skin, baked to perfection for tender, aromatic, and golden results.
Ingredients
Chicken and Marinade
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter (softened)
- 1 lemon (zested and halved)
- 3-4 cloves garlic (minced)
- salt and black pepper (to taste)
- 1 whole chicken (approx. 3 pounds)
- ½ onion (for stuffing inside the chicken)
Instructions
- Prepare the lemon butter mixture: Zest the yellow rind of the lemon and juice half of the lemon into a small bowl. Add the lemon zest, olive oil, softened butter, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper. Stir well until the mixture is fairly thick and combined.
- Apply mixture under the skin: Gently lift the skin from the chicken breasts and place about 1 tablespoon of the butter mixture under the skin on each breast. Massage the mixture evenly across the breasts to ensure flavor penetrates the meat.
- Cover chicken skin and marinate: Spread the remaining butter mixture evenly over the skin of the chicken. Cover and refrigerate the chicken for 30 to 45 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
- Preheat oven and stuff chicken: Preheat the oven to 425°F. Slice the remaining half of the lemon and place the slices inside the chicken cavity along with half an onion. Tie the chicken legs together with kitchen twine to maintain shape while roasting.
- Roast the chicken: Place the prepared chicken breast side up in a shallow roasting pan. Place it in the preheated oven and immediately reduce the temperature to 375°F. Roast the chicken for approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes or until the internal temperature of the thigh reaches 165°F, ensuring it is safe and fully cooked.
Notes
- Make sure to use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature for perfect doneness.
- Rest the chicken for 10-15 minutes after roasting before carving to retain juices.
- Tying the legs helps cook the chicken evenly and keeps the stuffing inside.
- You can baste the chicken once or twice during roasting for extra moistness if desired.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
