Lemon Herb Infused Roasted Chicken
Indulge in the exquisite flavors of our Lemon Herb Infused Roasted Chicken, a perfect blend of citrus and spice that elevates your dining experience. Juicy and succulent, this chicken is infused with fresh lemon slices, aromatic garlic, and a medley of spices, offering a balanced yet vibrant flavor profile that won’t overwhelm your palate. Pair it with creamy mashed potatoes for a comforting meal that is simple enough for a weeknight dinner and impressive enough for special occasions. Enjoy this delightful dish that should be the centerpiece of your next gathering!
N/A
Servings
550
Calories
12
Ingredients
Ingredients
garlic
1 head (cut in half horizontally, unpeeled)
lemons
2 (thinly sliced)
cardamom pods
3 (lightly crushed)
cumin seeds
1 teaspoon (lightly crushed)
whole cloves
4 (lightly crushed)
whole chicken
1 (1.25 kg) (thoroughly cleaned and rinsed)
olive oil
2 tablespoons (for rubbing)
water
2 dl (for broth)
chicken bouillon cube
1 (dissolved in hot water)
flour
1 tablespoon (for thickening sauce)
salt
to taste (for seasoning)
black pepper
to taste (for seasoning)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F).
2
In a large heat-proof baking dish, place one half of the garlic head and half of the lemon slices at the bottom.
3
Using a mortar and pestle, slightly crush the cardamom pods, cumin seeds, and cloves to release their aromatic oils, then scatter them evenly in the baking dish.
4
Carefully loosen the skin of the chicken from the bottom end, and layer the chicken breasts with 2 to 4 lemon slices each.
5
Place the remaining lemon slices and the other half of the garlic inside the cavity of the chicken.
6
Position the chicken breast side down in the baking dish.
7
Drizzle the olive oil over the chicken and season generously with salt and pepper.
8
In a small saucepan, bring 2 dl of water to a boil and dissolve the chicken bouillon cube in it.
9
Pour 2 tablespoons of the bouillon mixture into the baking dish.
10
Transfer the dish to the preheated oven and roast for 1 hour.
11
After 1 hour, carefully remove the dish from the oven, flip the chicken over, and baste it with the pan juices. Return it to the oven and roast for an additional hour, or until the internal temperature reaches 75°C (165°F) and the juices run clear when the thickest part of the leg is pricked.
12
Once cooked, transfer the chicken to a cutting board and strain the pan juices into a saucepan.
13
Reheat the strained pan juices over medium-high heat, bringing it to a boil. Gradually whisk in the flour until the sauce thickens, approximately 2 minutes.
14
Pour the sauce into a serving bowl, straining if needed to remove any lumps.
15
Remove the lemon slices and garlic from the chicken before carving. Serve warm, passing the sauce at the table.
Nutrition Information
30
Fat
11.25
Carbs
60
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Lemon Herb Infused Roasted Chicken?
It is a succulent roasted chicken dish featuring fresh lemon slices, aromatic garlic, and a blend of spices like cardamom and cumin.
What temperature should the oven be set to?
The oven should be preheated to 180°C or 350°F.
How many lemons are required for this recipe?
The recipe calls for 2 lemons, which should be thinly sliced.
How is the garlic prepared?
You should use 1 head of garlic, cut in half horizontally and left unpeeled.
Which spices are used in the herb infusion?
The spices include 3 cardamom pods, 1 teaspoon of cumin seeds, and 4 whole cloves.
How should the spices be processed before roasting?
Use a mortar and pestle to slightly crush the cardamom pods, cumin seeds, and cloves to release their aromatic oils.
What size chicken is recommended?
A whole chicken weighing approximately 1.25 kg is recommended.
How do I prepare the chicken skin for the lemons?
Carefully loosen the skin from the bottom end and layer 2 to 4 lemon slices under the skin of each breast.
Where does the garlic go during roasting?
One half of the garlic head is placed at the bottom of the dish, and the other half is placed inside the chicken cavity.
How is the chicken positioned in the baking dish initially?
The chicken should be placed breast side down for the first hour of roasting.
What oil should be used to drizzle over the chicken?
Use 2 tablespoons of olive oil for rubbing and drizzling.
How do I prepare the chicken broth?
Dissolve 1 chicken bouillon cube in 2 dl of boiling water.
How much bouillon mixture is added to the pan initially?
Pour 2 tablespoons of the prepared bouillon mixture into the baking dish before roasting.
How long is the total roasting time?
The chicken is roasted for a total of 2 hours: one hour breast-side down and one hour breast-side up.
What is the target internal temperature for the chicken?
The internal temperature should reach 75°C (165°F) in the thickest part of the leg.
What should I do after the first hour of roasting?
Carefully remove the dish from the oven, flip the chicken over, and baste it with the pan juices.
How do I make the sauce from the pan juices?
Strain the pan juices into a saucepan, bring to a boil, and whisk in 1 tablespoon of flour until thickened.
How long does the sauce take to thicken?
The sauce typically thickens in approximately 2 minutes once the flour is whisked in over medium-high heat.
Should I remove the lemon and garlic before carving?
Yes, remove the lemon slices and garlic from the chicken cavity before carving.
How many calories are in one serving?
There are 550 calories per serving.
What is the protein content of this dish?
This recipe contains 60g of protein per serving.
How many grams of fat are in the meal?
There are 30g of fat per serving.
What is the carbohydrate count?
The dish contains 11.25g of carbohydrates.
Is this recipe considered Mediterranean cuisine?
Yes, it is tagged as Mediterranean cuisine due to its use of olive oil, lemon, garlic, and spices.
What sides are suggested for this meal?
Creamy mashed potatoes are recommended for a comforting and balanced meal.
How many ingredients are needed in total?
The recipe requires 12 total ingredients including seasonings.
What should I do if the sauce has lumps?
You can strain the sauce into the serving bowl to ensure a smooth texture.
Can I use this recipe for special occasions?
Yes, it is described as impressive enough for special occasions while remaining simple for weeknights.
How do I ensure the chicken stays juicy?
Basting the chicken with pan juices after the first hour helps keep the meat succulent and juicy.
What seasonings are used for the final touch?
The chicken is seasoned generously with salt and black pepper to taste.