Roasted Garlic Chicken with Lemon and Herbs

This Roasted Garlic Chicken is a delightful dish that combines the rich flavors of roasted garlic, fresh herbs, and lemon zest for an unforgettable taste experience. The combination of these ingredients creates a succulent chicken dish that’s perfect for any dinner party or family gathering. With minimal prep time required, this recipe offers a quick yet impressive meal that will impress your guests.

Preparation Time: 15 minutes

Cooking Time: 40 minutes

Serving Size: 6 servings

Description:

This Roasted Garlic Chicken is a simple yet elegant dish that highlights the natural flavors of chicken with a subtle twist. The garlic cloves are roasted until soft and golden, then mashed to create a rich paste that infuses the chicken with an incredible depth of flavor. Lemon zest adds a bright citrus note, while fresh herbs like rosemary and thyme provide earthy undertones.

Ingredients:

1 whole chicken (about 4 pounds), cut into pieces
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
6 cloves garlic, peeled and halved lengthwise
Zest of 2 lemons
1 lemon, sliced
3 tablespoons olive oil
4 sprigs fresh rosemary
4 sprigs fresh thyme
1 onion, quartered
6 cloves garlic, unpeeled and halved crosswise

How to Cook:

Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
Rub chicken with olive oil: Place the chicken pieces in a large bowl and rub them generously with olive oil.
Salt and pepper: Season the chicken liberally on all sides with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
Roast garlic: Spread the halved garlic cloves out on a baking sheet. Roast in the oven for about 20 minutes, or until golden brown and soft. Remove from the oven and let cool slightly before squeezing the roasted garlic out of their skins into a small bowl.
Mash garlic: Using a fork, mash the roasted garlic to create a smooth paste.
Add lemon zest: Stir in the lemon zest into the mashed garlic. Set aside.
Slice lemons: Slice the remaining lemon and set it aside for later use.
Rub chicken with garlic mixture: Rub the chicken pieces all over with the garlic-lemon paste, making sure to coat them evenly.
Add herbs and onion: Place the rosemary sprigs, thyme sprigs, quartered onion, and halved unpeeled garlic cloves in a large roasting pan. Arrange the seasoned chicken on top of these aromatics.
Bake: Roast the chicken uncovered for about 35 to 40 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
Add lemon slices: After 20 minutes, add the sliced lemons on top of the chicken and continue roasting.
Serve: Once cooked, remove from oven and let rest for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with additional fresh herbs if desired.

Tips:

To ensure even cooking, make sure the chicken pieces are similar in size.
If you prefer less garlic flavor, reduce the amount of roasted garlic used in the paste.
For an extra burst of lemon flavor, serve with a side of lemon wedges or a simple lemon butter sauce.

Variations:

Herb Variation: Substitute rosemary and thyme for other herbs like parsley, sage, or tarragon to change the flavor profile.
Vegetable Accompaniment: Roast some vegetables such as carrots, potatoes, and Brussels sprouts alongside the chicken for a complete meal.

Nutritional Information (per serving):

Calories: 450
Total Fat: 21g
Saturated Fat: 4.5g
Cholesterol: 180mg
Sodium: 650mg
Total Carbohydrates: 3g
Dietary Fiber: 0.5g
Sugars: 1g
Protein: 52g

This Roasted Garlic Chicken with Lemon and Herbs is a versatile dish that can be enjoyed on its own or paired with your favorite sides. It’s perfect for special occasions, weeknight dinners, or casual gatherings, offering a delicious blend of flavors that will leave everyone wanting more.