Lemon and Garlic Roast Chicken

LEMON AND GARLIC ROAST CHICKEN

I remember I would always feel intimidated making lemon and garlic roast chicken because I always worried that the chicken would remain raw. To make sure I didn’t serve raw chicken I would slice it to check if it was pink or fully cooked. This worked well but for dinner parties, it didn’t look great serving chicken which had a big slice through it! This would then lead to me overcooking for fear of it being uncooked which would lead to dry and flaky chicken; which not a texture you want for your chicken!

It’s been quite a lot of trial and error trying to get a flavourful, juicy and perfectly cooked chicken leg. Firstly, marinating the chicken changes the game. I know there’ll be times where you just need to get the dinner on the table but when you’re not rushed for time then definitely marinate it.

I usually marinate my chicken for at least 30 mins and I’ve noticed it’s a lot more flavourful. Another reason to marinate is because it allows the chicken to come to room temperature before cooking which stops it from drying out.

You can get quite creative with flavours but for chicken legs, my favourites spices will be listed above. It has a kick but it’s not too spicy and I find that its perfectly salted. I love chicken with rice and salad and will often times have it with naan as well (sidenote: naan is bread so there’s no need to say naan bread or bread bread).

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HOW TO MAKE THIS LEMON AND GARLIC ROAST CHICKEN

This is a staple mid-week for me because not only is it quick and easy to make but it full of flavour. It pairs perfectly with rice, bulgur wheat or some fresh naan bread.

1. Begin by adding all the spices, salt, lemon juice and garlic paste into a bowl and mix until fully combined.
2. Wash the chicken legs and score them on both sides, this is a great way of allowing the chicken to absorb more flavour from the marinade.
3. Let the chicken marinade for at least 30 mins but the longer the better, you would ideally leave them for a few hours to overnight.
4. Once marinaded, place the chicken legs onto a hot grill. You can either use an electric grill, griddle pan or any other type of pan, a barbecue would also be great!
5. Cook on both sides for around 10 minutes total until the chicken get a lovely char and starts to look cooked.
6. Once you’ve done this then place the chicken into an oven at 180 degrees Celsius/ 160 fan for 30 minutes, making sure you turn them occasionally.
7. Once cooked, they should be deliciously succulent and full of flavour!

WHY YOU’LL LOVE THIS ROAST CHICKEN RECIPE

1. Bright and Zesty Flavour: The combo of lemon and garlic adds a bright and zesty flavour to the roast chicken. The citrusy notes from the lemon complement the savoury richness of the garlic.
2. Classic and Timeless Combination: Lemon and garlic are flavours that have always work really well.
3. Versatile Pairing: Lemon and garlic complement a variety of herbs and spices, making them a great pairing for roast chicken. This allows for creative variations in the seasoning and herb choices.
4. Enhanced Moisture and Juiciness: The acidity of the lemon can help tenderise the chicken while also adding moisture. The result is a roast chicken with juicy and succulent meat.
5. Simple and Easy Preparation: Lemon and garlic roast chicken is easy to prepare with a few simple ingredients. This makes it accessible for both beginner and experienced cooks.

INGREDIENTS YOU’LL NEED

Chicken Legs

Salt

Garlic Paste, Juice of Lemon, Oil

Turmeric, Ground Coriander, Paprika, Black Pepper

TOP TIPS FOR THE PERFECT ROAST CHICKEN

1. Quality Ingredients: Start with a high-quality chicken. You can either roast a whole chicken or just the legs.
2. Pat the Chicken Dry: Before seasoning, ensure the chicken is thoroughly pat-dried with paper towels as this will help get a crispy coating during roasting.
3. Use Fresh or Minced Garlic: You can either fresh or minced garlic but fresh would at a more aromatic and robust flavour.
4. Freshly Squeezed Lemon Juice: Use freshly squeezed lemon juice in the marinade as it adds a vibrant and authentic citrus flavour.
5. Zest for Intense Lemon Flavour: Consider grating the zest from one of the lemons and add it to the seasoning mixture. This will intensify the lemon flavour without adding extra liquid.

MORE TIPS

• Herb Infusion: Add fresh herbs like rosemary, thyme or parsley to the marinade as this enhances the overall aroma and flavour of the roast chicken.
• Marinate for Flavour Infusion: Allow the chicken to marinate for at least 30 minutes to an hour as this will intensify the lemon and garlic flavours after cooking.
• Use a Meat Thermometer: If you’re unsure when to take the chicken out of the oven, use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 74°C (165°F). This will guarantee that the chicken is fully cooked but still juicy.
• Let it Rest: Allow the chicken to rest for 10-15 minutes after roasting as this allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in tender and flavourful meat.
• Garnish with Fresh Herbs: Before serving, garnish the roasted chicken with fresh herbs like parsley or thyme to add some freshness and colour to the dish.

OTHER RECIPES YOU MAY LIKE

Chicken Skewers – Chicken Skewers – My Simple Eats

Fried Chicken Burger – Fried Chicken Burger – My Simple Eats

Pizza Bagel – Pizza Bagels – My Simple Eats

CONCLUSION

This Lemon and Garlic Roast Chicken dish is easy to prepare, tasty and great for when you have company. It can be prepped early in the day and then cooked whenever you’d like to eat. The Lemon and Garlic flavour works really well with the chicken and provides a bright, zesty and aromatic flavour.