One of the greatest ways to combine lemon and chicken; is to incorporate herbs and seasonings as well. This lemon herb chicken recipe has an earthy flavor like no other lemon chicken recipe does. It’s all because it calls for the use of mustard powder. And though not many home cooks would think to try the combination…you don’t have to be a five star chef to make it work like it does in this dish.
Simplicity is what makes this recipe a smash. The ingredient list is relatively short but all of them are robust in flavor and sure to please the palate. The dish is also kept light with the light use of olive oil. You may also want to try using extra virgin olive oil instead, to make it even lighter. For more zing, add more lemon juice.
Lemon herb chicken is a great way to discover the use of fresh herbs. If you don’t have Italian seasoning, try a combination of rosemary, thyme, oregano and basil. Chop them as finely as possible and season them with onion powder, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Place fresh herbs inside of the chicken and allow the meat to be permeated with the flavors.
Delicious doesn’t always have to be complicated. Sometimes, a little can be so much more. This easy recipe will definitely make you the topic of conversation at the dinner table and for all of the right reasons. Serve this lemon herb chicken with seasoned rice and a vegetable medley.
Ingredients:
- 2 teaspoons Italian Seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon mustard powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 – 3lb. whole chicken
- 2 lemons
- 1 lemon, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Preparation:
Begin by preheating the oven to 350 degrees F. Remove the innards, commonly referred to as the gizzards, from the chicken. Clean the chicken thoroughly, using lemon juice and water. Put the chicken, breast side up, into a baking dish. A 9×13 dish should suffice.
Mix together the following ingredients; Italian seasoning, salt, mustard powder, garlic powder and ground black pepper. Sprinkle 1½ teaspoons of the seasoning combination intothe chicken. Place lemon slices along the inside of the chicken after seasoned.
Use the remaining spice blend to coat the outside of the chicken. Be sure to coat the entire chicken as evenly as possible. This may be easier to do if the chicken is still a little moist.
Mix the juice of 2 lemons and the olive oil in a cup and brush the chicken with it. Take care that you don’t rub all of the seasoning off of the chicken. Brush as lightly as possible. Bake the seasoned chicken in the oven for approximately 90 minutes; or until the juices are clear and the chicken is nicely browned and tender
. Baste the chicken with the lemon oil mixture a few times throughout the cooking process. Let the chicken rest for about 10 minutes before slicing and serving.
(Serves 6-8)
