Description
Succulent Baked Lemon Butter Chicken delivers Mediterranean sunshine on a plate, melding zesty citrus with rich, tender poultry. Crisp herb-infused skin and silky sauce invite you to savor each luxurious, flavor-packed bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 10 dark meat chicken pieces (drumsticks and thighs, trimmed of any excess fat)
Seasonings and Spices:
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 1 tablespoon chicken seasoning blend (Montreal or bouillon)
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Additional Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1/2 cup red onion, minced
- 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
- 1 cup chicken stock
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/3 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1/2 cup flat-leaf parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Warm the oven to 375°F, preparing a welcoming environment for the chicken’s transformation.
- Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat, gently sautéing red onion until it releases a fragrant aroma, approximately 2 minutes.
- Introduce chopped parsley and minced garlic into the skillet, stirring to create a harmonious blend. Incorporate lemon juice and red pepper flakes for a zesty kick.
- Pour chicken stock into the mixture, then fold in Parmesan cheese. Integrate heavy cream and allow the sauce to simmer briefly before removing from heat to cool slightly.
- Massage chicken pieces with kosher salt, smoked paprika, and seasoning blend, ensuring each morsel is thoroughly coated with flavor.
- Transfer seasoned chicken to a baking dish, generously draping the cooled sauce over the top.
- Roast uncovered for 1 hour and 45 minutes at 375°F, rotating midway through cooking. For a golden finish, activate the broiler to crisp the skin during the final moments.
- Lavish the chicken with its own savory sauce before presenting, creating a tantalizing final touch to this culinary masterpiece.
Notes
- Swap heavy cream with coconut milk for a dairy-free alternative that maintains the sauce’s creamy richness.
- Pat chicken dry before seasoning to ensure crispy, golden-brown skin that locks in maximum flavor.
- Choose bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs for extra juiciness and deeper taste compared to boneless cuts.
- Reduce cooking time by 15-20 minutes if using smaller chicken pieces to prevent overcooking and drying out the meat.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 5 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 34 g
- Cholesterol: 150 mg