Description
Lemon Pepper Roasted Chicken with Potatoes is a classic Thanksgiving dish that has been passed down in my family for generations. The chicken is rubbed with a mixture of lemon juice, pepper, and garlic, then roasted to perfection.
Ingredients
2 whole lemons, preferably organic
2 medium yellow onions, sliced ¼” thick
¼ c. extra virgin olive oil, divided
2 T. unsalted butter, room temperature
1 t. garlic powder
1 t. onion powder
1 T. Herbes de Provence
Sea salt and black pepper, to taste
1 whole roasting chicken (approximately 4-5 lbs.)
4 large rosemary sprigs, torn into smaller pieces, divided
1 lbs. baby red potatoes, scrubbed
1 T. whole peppercorns
½ c. chicken broth, preferably organic
Instructions
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Place the top oven rack in the center position and pre-heat the oven to 400°F. Zest one of the lemons with a microplane and cut the rest of it into quarters. Set the zest and lemon aside.
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Slice the remaining lemon into ¼-inch thick slices and arrange on the bottom of a large, oven-safe skillet, along with the sliced yellow onion. Set aside.
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In a small bowl, combine 2 tablespoons of olive oil with the lemon zest, butter, garlic powder, onion powder, and Herbes de Provence. Season with salt and black pepper, to taste, and stir with a fork to create a paste.
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Place the chicken on top of the onions and lemon in the skillet and gently massage 1-2 tablespoons of the lemon-butter mixture under the skin. Spread the remaining mixture all over the outside of the chicken in an even layer.
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Stuff the chicken with the quartered lemon and 1/3 of the rosemary sprigs. Secure the legs together with kitchen string.
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In a large glass bowl, toss the baby red potatoes with the remaining olive oil and fresh rosemary. Season with salt and black pepper, as desired.
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Nestle the seasoned potatoes around the chicken before adding the chicken broth and whole peppercorns. Place the skillet in the pre-heated oven to roast for one hour.
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After an hour, remove from oven and check for doneness by inserting an instant-read thermometer between the leg and breast, but not against the bone.
Note: Chicken should reach an internal temperature just below 165°F before removing from the oven. The temperature will rise several degrees as it rests. -
Let the chicken rest for 5-10 minutes before carving. Serve immediately topped with some of the juices from the skillet and the roasted rosemary potatoes on the side. Enjoy!
Notes
*Actual cook time will vary depending on a number of factors, including starting internal temperature, size of the bird, and fluctuations in cooking temperatures from oven to the next. For best results, check with an instant-read thermometer after 1 hour and adjust final cook time accordingly.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 1hr 30 mins