Lemon Chicken -- American Style

This is a classic American lemon chicken recipe without being too lemony, I think it has just the right amount of lemon flavor to it.  Thanks, SIMPLY RECIPES food blog, for this wonderful dish!

p.s. This is nothing like the lemon chicken dish one would order at the Chinese restaurant.  Although that is also delicious!

Gather up the ingredients and let’s get cooking!

2 large chicken breasts (skin on, bone in), or use thighs and legs if you prefer dark meat. With the tip of your knife, cut into each chicken piece one or two times by about 1/2 inch.  This will allow the marinate to penetrate.

Place 2 Tbl. lemon zest, 1/3 Cup lemon juice, 2 cloves garlic (grated or crushed), 2 tsp. dried thyme, 1 tsp. dried chopped rosemary, 1 tsp. sea salt, and 1 tsp. black pepper in a small bowl, whisk to combine.

Ok, confession!  I thought I had some dried thyme---not!  So I started thinking of the song by Simon and Garfunkel.  "Parsley, sage, rosemary and Thyme".  Good, I have parsley!  And it worked out great.

Place the chicken breasts and the marinade in a gallon-sized freezer bag. Mush the chicken around in the marinade. Seal the bag and place in a bowl in the refrigerator (in case of leakage). Let marinate for 2 hours.

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.  Remove the chicken from the marinate and place in a single layer on a baking dish skin side up.  Reserve the marinate.  Brush the chicken with some melted butter and olive oil.  Then into the oven.  Bake for a total of 50 to 55 minutes.  Half way though the baking, baste the chicken with the reserved marinate, then back into the oven.

Chicken is done when juices run clear and internal temp of breasts is 165 degrees, thighs 175 degrees.  The skin is crispy and brown!  Let rest for 5 - 10 minutes before carving.

Carve the chicken breasts on the diagonal.  And get ready to eat....

Tonight we had the chicken with steamed broccoli and cauliflower.  Oh, lemon chicken you are my friend!

This chicken was juicy and tender and very delicious!  Enjoy friends!