Description
Home cooks can master Barefoot Contessa skillet roasted lemon chicken with Mediterranean-inspired techniques. Juicy herb-infused chicken emerges crisp and golden, promising a simple yet elegant dinner you’ll savor.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 whole chicken (about 1.8 kg / 4 lbs), backbone removed and butterflied (spatchcocked)
- 1 tbsp sea salt
- 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 2 tsp fresh thyme leaves
- 1 tsp whole fennel seeds
- 1 large yellow onion, halved and sliced ¼ inch thick
- 2 large garlic cloves, thinly sliced
- 1 lemon, halved and sliced ¼ inch thick
- 120 ml (½ cup) dry white wine, such as Pinot Grigio
- 80 ml (⅓ cup) good olive oil
- Juice of 1 lemon
Instructions
- Herb Preparation: Pulverize thyme, fennel seeds, salt, and pepper in a mini food processor, then blend with olive oil to create a fragrant herb-infused mixture.
- Skillet Setup: Layer lemon slices across the bottom of a cast-iron skillet, generously scatter chopped onions and minced garlic, creating a vibrant flavor base.
- Chicken Positioning: Place chicken skin-side down, brush with half the herb oil, then flip and coat with remaining oil, ensuring the skin is thoroughly dried.
- Initial Roasting: Transfer skillet to a preheated 230°C (450°F) oven, roasting for 30 minutes until the skin transforms into a crispy, golden exterior.
- Wine Infusion and Final Roasting: Carefully pour white wine around the chicken, continuing to roast for 10-15 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 68-71°C (155-160°F).
- Resting and Serving: Remove from oven, drizzle with fresh lemon juice, tent with foil for 10-15 minutes, then carve and plate with caramelized pan juices, roasted lemon, and onions.
Notes
- Select the Right Skillet: Cast-iron is crucial for achieving crispy skin and even heat distribution, creating restaurant-quality results at home.
- Pat Chicken Dry: Thoroughly removing moisture from the chicken skin ensures maximum crispiness and prevents steaming instead of roasting.
- Temperature Precision: Maintaining a high 230°C (450°F) oven temperature guarantees golden, crackling skin and locks in succulent chicken juices.
- Resting is Essential: Allowing the chicken to rest after cooking lets internal juices redistribute, resulting in incredibly tender and moist meat.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 500 mg
- Fat: 35 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 30 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 36 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg