Description
Rosemary chicken brings Mediterranean flavors dancing across your plate with simple, elegant ingredients. Fragrant herbs and juicy chicken create a delightful meal you can quickly prepare for family and friends.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken:
- 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (or breasts)
Herbs and Seasonings:
- 2 teaspoons fresh rosemary, finely chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried rosemary)
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano or thyme (optional)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Liquid and Marinade Ingredients:
- 4 tablespoons olive oil (extra virgin)
- 1 lemon (zested and juiced)
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon honey
Instructions
- Craft a flavorful marinade by whisking olive oil, balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, and optional herbs in a mixing bowl.
- Submerge chicken pieces in the marinade, ensuring complete coverage. Seal and refrigerate for 30 minutes to 2 hours to enhance flavor penetration.
- Heat oven to 400F (200C), preparing for roasting.
- Remove chicken from marinade, thoroughly pat dry with paper towels to ensure crisp skin.
- Season chicken generously with minced garlic, finely chopped rosemary, lemon zest, and fresh lemon juice. Sprinkle salt and pepper evenly across all surfaces.
- Select an oven-safe skillet and heat olive oil over medium-high temperature until shimmering.
- Carefully place chicken skin-side down, allowing golden caramelization for 5-6 minutes without moving.
- Transfer skillet directly into preheated oven, roasting for 25-30 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165F for thighs or 160F for breasts.
- Remove from oven, allowing chicken to rest 5-10 minutes for juice redistribution.
- Plate chicken, garnishing with fresh rosemary sprigs and lemon wedges for elegant presentation.
Notes
- Swap chicken for tofu or tempeh to create a delicious vegetarian alternative that maintains the same aromatic herb profile.
- Prep chicken ahead of time by marinating overnight to intensify flavor penetration and guarantee tender, juicy meat.
- Use bone-in, skin-on chicken pieces for maximum flavor complexity and more succulent results compared to boneless cuts.
- Add extra aromatics like garlic cloves or sliced shallots around the chicken during roasting to enhance the overall depth of the dish’s flavor profile.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg