Description
Ina Garten’s classic Tuscan Lemon Chicken delivers Mediterranean warmth with herb-infused simplicity. Succulent roasted chicken marries zesty lemon and fragrant rosemary, inviting home cooks to savor Italy’s culinary essence.
Ingredients
- 1 whole chicken (1.6 kg / 3.5 lbs), flattened
- 2 tsps lemon zest (from 2 lemons)
- 1 tbsp minced fresh rosemary leaves
- 1 tbsp minced garlic (about 3 cloves)
- ⅓ cup (80 ml) good olive oil
- ⅓ cup (80 ml) freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 lemon, halved
- Kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Preparation: Butterfly and flatten chicken, seasoning both sides with kosher salt for uniform flavor distribution.
- Marinade Creation: Whisk olive oil, lemon zest, lemon juice, garlic, rosemary, and black pepper in a non-reactive container to develop a vibrant flavor profile.
- Marinating Process: Completely submerge chicken in the marinade, cover, and refrigerate for 4-8 hours, periodically rotating to ensure comprehensive flavor infusion.
- Grill Setup: Establish dual-zone heating on the grill – one high-heat section and one cooler indirect heat area for controlled cooking.
- Initial Grilling: Place chicken on the cooler grill section, skin-side up, using a cast-iron skillet or foil-wrapped brick to apply gentle pressure for even cooking and crisp skin development.
- Cooking Technique: Grill for 12-15 minutes per side, monitoring color and using weight to ensure consistent heat distribution. During the final stage, add lemon halves cut-side down to caramelize.
- Final Verification: Check internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C), then remove from grill and rest for 5 minutes under a loose foil tent to retain moisture.
- Serving: Slice chicken into quarter portions, garnish with a final salt sprinkle, and accompany with grilled lemon halves for a zesty finishing touch.
Notes
Marinating Magic: Overnight soaking allows deep flavor penetration, transforming ordinary chicken into a zesty Tuscan delicacy with intense lemony and herbal notes.
Temperature Control Technique: Creating dual heat zones ensures perfectly crispy exterior while maintaining juicy, tender interior without burning the delicate chicken skin.
Weighted Grilling Hack: Using a heavy cast-iron skillet or foil-wrapped brick guarantees uniform browning, crisp skin, and even heat distribution for restaurant-quality results.
Lemon Caramelization Trick: Grilling lemon halves cut-side down releases natural sugars, creating a sweet-tangy garnish that enhances the chicken’s overall flavor profile and adds visual appeal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 430
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 200 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 24 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 4 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg