Description
Ina Garten’s Lemon Chicken is a simple yet flavorful dish that combines the brightness of lemon with the richness of chicken. With a combination of fresh garlic, lemon zest, and white wine, this dish is perfect for a weeknight dinner or special occasion. The crispy skin and juicy meat, all soaked in the tangy lemon sauce, create a mouthwatering meal that will become a family favorite.
Ingredients
Scale
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 3 tablespoons minced garlic (8–9 cloves)
- ⅓ cup dry white wine
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest (from about 2 lemons)
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice (about 1 lemon)
- 1 ½ teaspoons dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
- Salt and pepper to taste (optional)
- 4 boneless, skin-on chicken breasts, 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs, or 2 skin-on half chickens, patted dry
- Slices of lemon (from remaining lemon after zesting)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and prepare a baking dish.
- In a small saucepan, warm the olive oil over low heat. Add the garlic and stir until fragrant, ensuring the garlic doesn’t brown.
- Stir together the white wine, lemon zest, lemon juice, oregano, and thyme. Whisk this mixture into the warm olive oil and garlic. Season with salt and pepper.
- Pour half of the wine and oil mixture into the baking dish. Place the chicken on top, skin side up, and tuck lemon slices under the chicken skin.
- Pour the remaining sauce over the chicken.
- Roast the chicken in the oven for 30-50 minutes, depending on the chicken cut. The chicken is done when its juices run clear, and the skin is golden and crispy. If needed, broil for 1-2 minutes to achieve a perfect brown color.
- Remove the chicken from the oven and cover it with aluminum foil. Allow it to rest for 10 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Marinating the chicken ahead of time will enhance the flavor.
- If using skinless chicken, adjust the cooking time as it cooks faster.
- If the skin isn’t as crispy, broiling for 1-2 minutes can help.
- You can make the sauce ahead of time and refrigerate it until ready to bake.
- To thicken the sauce, you can strain the garlic and herbs or cook it longer to reduce.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast or thigh
- Calories: 284 kcal
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 5g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 29g
- Cholesterol: 75mg