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Greek Lemon Chicken

Greek Lemon Chicken

The ultimate comfort food is this Greek Lemon Chicken. Juicy, tender chicken infused with zesty lemon flavors makes for an easy weeknight dinner that everyone loves. Try this recipe tonight for a satisfying and delightful meal!
Prep Time 2 hours
Cook Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Total Time 3 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Greek
Calories: 450

Ingredients
  

  • 1 whole chicken about 5 pounds

Equipment

  • Baking Sheet
  • Grater
  • Oven
  • Mixing Bowl
  • Frying pan

Method
 

  1. I usually tie the chicken with string, but you don’t have to. Zest the skin of the lemon and then squeeze the juice. If you don't have a lemon zester, any type of microplane grater or even a fine cheese grater will work. Mix marinade ingredients in measuring cup. Put chicken in large Ziploc bag, pour marinade over, then zip bag shut and mix well, until chicken is well coated. Put in fridge and let chicken marinate all day while you’re at work. After work, preheat oven to 450F/220C, drain marinade off and put chicken in glass or heavy metal roasting pan, breast side down. I like to use a pan with a rack in it so the hot air circulates under the chicken, but any roasting pan or baking dish will work. Roast about 25 minutes, then turn breast side up and baste with pan juices. Lower heat to 350 and roast about another 35-45 minutes, or until top is browned and Instant-Read Meat Thermometer reads about 170. It takes about an hour and 15 minutes for a 5 pound chicken. Let rest 10 minutes before carving.

Notes

  • Storage: Store any leftover chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
  • Freezing: You can freeze cooked chicken for up to 3 months. Just make sure to wrap it tightly to avoid freezer burn.
  • Pairing: Serve this chicken with a side of roasted potatoes or a simple green salad to complement the flavors.
  • Herb Variations: Feel free to experiment with different herbs like rosemary or thyme to add unique flavors to the marinade.
  • Spicy Kick: If you enjoy a bit of heat, add some red pepper flakes to the marinade for an extra kick.