Mediterranean Roasted Chicken with Lemon
Try this Mediterranean-inspired roasted chicken with lemon recipe! Juicy chicken thighs, fresh herbs, and a tangy lemon sauce make the perfect easy, healthy, and flavorful dinner. Ready in an hour!
Italian name: Pollo al forno con limone [pɔl.lo al ˈfɔr.no kon liˈmoː.ne]
This roasted chicken with lemon recipe brings a Mediterranean twist to your table! With fresh lemons, aromatic herbs, and tender chicken thighs, you’ll create a simple yet delicious dish that’s as comforting as it is flavorful.
Those who say that chicken is boring, will change their mind thanks to this easy recipe. Let’s roast this chicken!
Why It’s Worth a Spot on Your Table
This roasted chicken with lemon recipe is very quick and easy to prepare, you will just have to add everything into the baking tray and bake until golden. It is a classic holiday dish that will make your home smell amazing, with its distinctive lemon scent.
It is a healthy and original way to cook chicken, perfect for meal prep!
Ingredients
Ingredients for 5 servings
- 5 chicken thighs
- 4 garlic cloves
- 2 lemons
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Sage
- Rosemary
- Pepper
- Salt
Cooking time: 1 hour
Chicken thighs
Chicken thighs are perfect to be roasted, since they absorb well all the aroma of the lemon, but at the same time they keep their tenderness. Of course, this depends on your personal taste. If you prefer the texture of the breast, you can use that part (or even a mix of different parts).
I suggest you keep the chicken skin, as its fats will melt and keep your chicken moist and the golden crust of the skin makes this roasted chicken with lemon even tastier!
Herbs
Sage and rosemary are perfect to season your chicken: they will spice up the lemon juice, creating an amazing sauce with all of the Italian typical flavours.
Tips
- Use any chicken cut you like, but make sure you keep the skin for a crispy and golden result.
- Wash your lemons before using them.
- Make sure you add some lemon sauce on top of the chicken before serving.
Step by Step Recipe
- Preheat the oven at 350°F (180° C).
- First of all prepare the ingredients: wash and dry the chicken and remove any stray feather, squeeze one lemon, cut in pieces another and peel four garlic cloves.
- In a baking tray drizzle some olive oil, salt and pepper and toss the chicken until well-coated.
- Add the herbs, the pieces of lemon and the garlic, hiding some behind the chicken.
- Finally, add the lemon juice and some more salt, then bake at 350°F (180° C) for 45 minutes. If you want it to have a delicious golden crust leave it in the higher part of the oven for the last 10 minutes.
- Before taking it out of the oven try to cut one piece to see if it is cooked, if not, leave it in the oven for another 15 minutes or so.
- Serve the chicken with a generous spoon of lemon sauce on top and enjoy!
If you are looking for a delicious side dish for this roasted chicken with lemon, why don’t you have a look at these sweet and savory brussels sprouts?
Are you looking for other main courses recipes? I got you!
Recipe Card
Mediterranean Roasted Chicken with Lemon
Equipment
- 1 baking dish
- Oven
Ingredients
- 5 chicken thighs
- 4 garlic cloves
- 2 lemons
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Sage
- Rosemary
- Pepper
- Salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven at 350°F (180° C).
- Prepare the ingredients: wash and dry the chicken and remove any stray feather, squeeze one lemon, cut in pieces another and peel four garlic cloves.
- In a baking dish drizzle some olive oil, salt and pepper and toss the chicken until well-coated.
- Add the herbs, the pieces of lemon and the garlic, hiding some behind the chicken.
- Finally, add the lemon juice and some more salt.
- Bake at 350°F (180° C) for 45 minutes. Leave it in the higher part of the oven for the last 10 minutes for a golden skin.
- Before taking it out of the oven try to cut one piece to see if it is cooked, if not, leave it in the oven for another 15 minutes or so.
- Serve the chicken with a generous spoon of lemon sauce on top and enjoy!
May I tempt you? Here you can find other Italian classics!
FAQs
How can I store it?
You can store your chicken with its sauce in a container for up to 4 days in the fridge. You can also freeze it for up to 1 month.
Can I use other herbs?
Sure! You can use thyme or marjoram to season the roasted chicken with lemon.
Did I forget something? Don’t be shy and ask in the comments!
