Lemon Butter Garlic Roasted Chicken is a delicious dish that combines juicy oven-roasted chicken with the vibrant and fragrant flavors of lemon, butter, and garlic. This meal showcases how high-quality ingredients can transform a simple recipe into a memorable culinary experience that captures the essence of Mediterranean cooking.

The heart of this dish is the chicken, preferably whole legs with the thigh and drumstick connected. This cut choice is strategic; the darker meat of the legs is richer and more flavorful than the breast, and its natural fattiness lends itself well to the high heat of roasting, ensuring the meat remains juicy and tender. Before it encounters heat, the chicken is seasoned generously. A rub of salt, ground black pepper, and paprika not only seasons the meat but also aids in drawing out moisture, which helps achieve beautifully crisp skin.

The cooking process begins on the stovetop, where each piece of chicken is seared in a hot skillet with a bit of extra virgin olive oil. This initial sear is crucial as it locks in the flavors and juices and starts the skin on its path to a perfect golden crispness. Once the chicken is beautifully browned on all sides, it transitions from stovetop to oven, where the magic of slow roasting coaxes out the flavors and textures that define this dish, but only after we create the sauce in the same skillet.

The lemon butter garlic sauce is what gives this dish its title flavor. The sauce acts as a marinade and a basting liquid, infusing the chicken with its vibrant flavors. Melt butter until slightly browned to develop a nutty depth to make the sauce. Then, add finely minced garlic to the mix and let it sizzle softly. The sharpness of the garlic mellows into a sweet fragrance that promises to infuse the chicken with every brush and spoonful.

Lemon joins the next symphony of flavors, with its juice and zest lending their bright, citrusy notes. The lemon cuts through the richness of the butter and complements the milder garlic, bringing a refreshing lightness that balances the dish. A splash of chicken broth is added to the sauce, providing a base that helps carry the other elements deeply into the meat while creating a moist cooking environment in the oven.

As the chicken roasts in the oven, it transforms. The high heat crisps the skin, giving it a perfect golden brown color, while the meat inside cooks slowly and steadily. It’s basting in a buttery lemon-garlic sauce that caramelizes around the edges, adding layers of flavor. The final product is visually stunning, with its golden brown color, glistening with juices, and fragrant with the aroma of lemon and garlic.

To serve, the whole chicken legs are presented intact, beautifully golden, and glistening with the flavorful marinade. The chicken is garnished with fresh parsley, not merely for color but for its fresh, clean taste that provides a final herbal note.

Lemon Butter Garlic Roasted Chicken pairs exceptionally well with the Tangy Fingerling Potato, Mustard, and Onion Salad as a side dish. The zesty and robust flavors of the mustard and onions in the salad complement the rich, aromatic profile of the roasted chicken, creating a harmonious balance on the palate. The brightness of the mustard and the sharpness of the onions cut through the buttery richness of the chicken, offering a refreshing contrast that enhances the depth of flavors. Additionally, the acidity from the lemon in both the chicken and the salad ties the dishes together, making each bite vibrant and cohesive.

Tangy Fingerling Potato, Mustard, and Onion Salad

Lemon Butter Garlic Roasted Chicken is more than just a meal. It’s a celebration of textures and tastes, where the balance between richness and refreshment creates perfect harmony. This dish showcases the simple culinary alchemy that occurs when a few ingredients combine under ideal conditions. Each serving complements the rich flavors of the chicken without overwhelming them.

Lemon Butter Garlic Roasted Chicken

5 from 1 vote

Recipe by Kyle Taylor Course: MainsCuisine: MediterraneanDifficulty: Easy

Servings

servings

Prep time

minutes

Cooking time

minutes

Total time

hour

Lemon Butter Garlic Roasted Chicken features succulent whole chicken legs roasted to perfection with a rich, aromatic lemon, butter, and garlic glaze, creating a mouthwatering and visually stunning centerpiece.

Ingredients

4 whole 4 chicken legs (thigh and drumstick combined)
2 tablespoons 2 extra virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon 1 paprika
to taste, salt and ground black pepper
4 tablespoons 4 unsalted butter
4 cloves of 4 garlic, minced
1 1 lemon, juiced and zested
1 cup 1 chicken broth
2 tablespoons 2 parsley, freshly chopped

Directions

Prepare the Chicken:
Pat the chicken legs dry with paper towels. Season all sides with salt, ground black pepper, and paprika.

Heat extra virgin olive oil over medium-high heat in a large skillet or oven-safe pan. Once hot, add the chicken legs skin side down. Cook 4-5 minutes on each side until the skin is golden and crispy.
Make the Lemon Butter Garlic Sauce:
Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside. Reduce the heat to medium. In the same pan, add butter and allow it to melt.

Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it. Stir in the lemon juice and zest, and then add the chicken broth. Bring the mixture to a simmer, allowing it to reduce slightly, about 3-4 minutes.
Roast the Chicken:
Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Return the chicken to the skillet, spooning the sauce over the pieces.

Bake the chicken in the preheated oven for about 25 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked through (internal temperature should reach 165°F).
Finish and Serve:
Remove the chicken from the oven. Sprinkle chopped parsley over the chicken and add a few lemon slices around the skillet or baking dish for extra flavor and presentation.

Serve the chicken hot, with extra sauce spooned over the top. Garnish with more fresh parsley.