Lemon-Garlic Herb Chicken Delight
Indulge your taste buds with this flavorful Lemon-Garlic Herb Chicken Delight, a perfect recipe for garlic enthusiasts! Enjoy the robust garlic flavor that mellows beautifully during the baking process. Featuring tender chicken legs marinated in aromatic herbs and zesty lemon, this dish will fill your kitchen with irresistible aromas. The chicken gets a golden-brown crispiness, enhanced by a luscious garlic-infused sauce that you'll want to drizzle generously. Perfect for family gatherings or a cozy dinner party, this recipe is both uncomplicated and rewarding. Remember to plan ahead as this dish requires a brief refrigeration to allow the flavors to meld, but don't exceed an hour to maintain the chicken's perfect texture. Customize your dish by adding sliced onions for an extra layer of flavor!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
9
Ingredients
Ingredients
Chicken legs with thighs
8 (about 5 pounds, skin-on)
Garlic
3 (large heads, separated into cloves, peeled and finely chopped)
Fresh lemon juice
1/2 cup (freshly squeezed)
Olive oil
1/4 cup (extra virgin recommended)
Dried oregano
2 tablespoons (rubbed between fingers to release flavor)
Black pepper
1 teaspoon (freshly ground, adjust to taste)
Salt
2 teaspoons (seasoned salt preferred)
Boiling water or hot low-sodium chicken broth
1/2 cup (for loosening drippings)
Fresh parsley
1/4 cup (chopped for garnish)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 375°F and lightly grease a 17 x 12-inch baking dish with cooking spray or oil.
2
In a medium bowl, combine the minced garlic, fresh lemon juice, olive oil, dried oregano, black pepper, and salt. Mix well until a thick paste forms.
3
Rub the garlic-herb mixture evenly over each chicken leg, ensuring that every piece is well coated.
4
Cover the chicken with plastic wrap and refrigerate for exactly 1 hour to infuse the flavors without 'cooking' the chicken in lemon.
5
After marinating, lay the chicken in the prepared baking dish, skin-side down, in a single layer.
6
Transfer the baking dish to the oven and bake for approximately 1 to 1.5 hours. Every 15 minutes during the last 30 minutes, baste the chicken with the pan juices to allow for crispy, flavorful skin.
7
Once the chicken is well browned and cooked through, remove it from the oven. Transfer the chicken to a warm platter.
8
To prepare the sauce, skim off any excess fat from the drippings in the pan, then add in 1/2 cup of boiling water or hot low-sodium chicken broth. Stir to loosen any browned bits.
9
Pour the flavorful sauce into a bowl for serving.
10
Finally, garnish the chicken with freshly chopped parsley and drizzle the aromatic sauce over the top for a bright finish. Enjoy your divine Lemon-Garlic Herb Chicken Delight!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main protein used in the Lemon-Garlic Herb Chicken Delight?
The recipe uses 8 chicken legs with thighs, weighing approximately 5 pounds with skin-on.
How much garlic is required for this recipe?
You will need 3 large heads of garlic, separated into cloves, peeled, and finely chopped.
What is the recommended oven temperature for baking?
Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
How long should the chicken marinate?
The chicken should be refrigerated for exactly 1 hour to allow flavors to infuse.
Why shouldn't I marinate the chicken for longer than one hour?
Exceeding an hour can cause the lemon juice to 'cook' the chicken, affecting its perfect texture.
What size baking dish should I use?
A 17 x 12-inch baking dish is recommended for this recipe.
What ingredients are used to make the marinade paste?
The paste consists of minced garlic, fresh lemon juice, olive oil, dried oregano, black pepper, and salt.
Should the chicken be placed skin-side up or down initially?
Lay the chicken in the baking dish skin-side down in a single layer.
What is the total baking time for the chicken?
The chicken should bake for approximately 1 to 1.5 hours.
How often should I baste the chicken?
Baste the chicken every 15 minutes during the last 30 minutes of baking.
What is the purpose of basting the chicken?
Basting with pan juices helps achieve a crispy and flavorful skin.
How do I prepare the sauce after baking?
Skim off excess fat from the pan drippings, add 1/2 cup of boiling water or hot chicken broth, and stir to loosen browned bits.
What can I use instead of boiling water for the sauce?
You can use hot low-sodium chicken broth for added flavor.
What is the recommended garnish for this dish?
Garnish the chicken with 1/4 cup of freshly chopped parsley.
Can I add other vegetables to this recipe?
Yes, you can customize the dish by adding sliced onions for an extra layer of flavor.
What type of olive oil is recommended?
Extra virgin olive oil is recommended for the best flavor.
How should the dried oregano be prepared?
Rub the dried oregano between your fingers to release its full flavor.
What type of salt works best for this chicken?
Seasoned salt is preferred, using about 2 teaspoons.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
The recipe uses 8 chicken legs with thighs, which typically serves 4 to 8 people.
Is this recipe suitable for a dinner party?
Yes, it is perfect for family gatherings or a cozy dinner party as it is uncomplicated yet rewarding.
What should I do before putting the chicken in the oven?
Ensure the baking dish is lightly greased with cooking spray or oil.
How do I know when the chicken is finished cooking?
The chicken is done when it is well browned and cooked through, usually after 1 to 1.5 hours.
What is the first step in making the sauce?
The first step is to remove the cooked chicken to a warm platter and skim the fat from the pan drippings.
What cuisine style does this recipe resemble?
This recipe is inspired by Greek cuisine.
How much lemon juice is needed?
The recipe requires 1/2 cup of freshly squeezed lemon juice.
What is the texture of the chicken skin?
The skin should be golden-brown and crispy due to the basting process.
Can I use different chicken parts?
While this recipe specifies legs with thighs, other skin-on pieces could be used, though cooking times may vary.
What is the role of black pepper in this recipe?
One teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper is used to add a bit of heat and depth.
Do I need to cover the chicken while it marinates?
Yes, cover the chicken with plastic wrap while it refrigerates for the hour-long marinade.
How is the sauce served?
Pour the sauce into a bowl for serving and drizzle it over the top of the garnished chicken.