Description
Succulent lemon butter baked chicken brings Mediterranean sunshine to your dinner table with minimal effort. Zesty herbs and golden-brown skin promise a delightful meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs or breasts
Seasonings and Herbs:
- 3–4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
Liquid and Fat Ingredients:
- 4 tablespoons (60 milliliters) unsalted butter, melted
- 1 large lemon, zested and juiced
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Warm the oven to a precise 400F (200C), ensuring an evenly heated cooking environment.
- Thoroughly blot chicken pieces with paper towels to remove excess moisture, then generously season with salt and freshly ground black pepper across all surfaces.
- Create a luxurious sauce by whisking together golden melted butter, minced aromatic garlic, tangy fresh lemon juice, fragrant lemon zest, and dried oregano until smoothly combined.
- Arrange seasoned chicken in a spacious ceramic or glass baking dish, ensuring pieces are not overcrowded.
- Cascade the vibrant lemon butter mixture evenly over chicken, coating each piece thoroughly for maximum flavor infusion.
- Slide the baking dish into the preheated oven and roast for approximately 35-40 minutes, monitoring until chicken reaches a safe internal temperature of 165F.
- Once cooked, remove from oven and allow chicken to rest for 5 minutes, allowing juices to redistribute and ensuring tender, succulent meat.
- Finish by sprinkling freshly chopped parsley across the surface for a bright, herbaceous garnish that adds visual appeal and subtle freshness.
Notes
- Swap butter for olive oil to create a lighter, heart-healthy version of this dish that still maintains incredible flavor.
- Use boneless, skinless chicken breasts for quicker cooking and easier portion control, reducing total baking time to around 25-30 minutes.
- Add red pepper flakes or paprika to the sauce for a subtle kick of heat that complements the bright lemon notes and elevates the overall taste profile.
- Marinate chicken for 30 minutes before baking to enhance moisture and infuse deeper seasoning throughout the meat, ensuring every bite is packed with zesty, herbal goodness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 2g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 120mg