Description
This lemon herb roasted chicken is juicy on the inside, golden and crispy on the outside, and bursting with fresh citrus flavor. Made with garlic, rosemary, and thyme, it’s a simple, family-friendly dinner rooted in Italian tradition.
Ingredients
1 whole chicken (3.5–4 lbs), giblets removed
2 lemons (1 juiced, 1 halved)
3 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp fresh rosemary, chopped
1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves
1 tsp dried oregano
4 garlic cloves, minced
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Optional: 1 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
Fresh parsley (for garnish)
Instructions
Prep: Preheat oven to 425°F. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels.
Season: In a bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, rosemary, thyme, oregano, salt, and pepper.
Marinate: Rub the mixture all over the chicken, including under the skin if possible. Stuff cavity with lemon halves and herb sprigs (optional).
Roast: Place chicken on a rack in a roasting pan, breast-side up. Drizzle with melted butter if desired.
Bake: Roast for 1 hour 20 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 165°F in the thickest part.
Rest: Remove from oven and let rest for 10–15 minutes before carving.
Serve: Garnish with parsley and serve with your favorite sides.
Notes
Marinate for 30 min to 2 hours for best flavor
Resting is key—don’t skip it!
Save leftovers for salads or wraps
Add root vegetables under the chicken to roast simultaneously
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Category: chicken
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Keywords: Low sodium, lemon zest, black pepper, pound chicken