Recipe by: Erin Clarke; Well Plated by Erin
Total Time: 40-50 minutes Serves: 3
Ingredients:
- 2 split chicken breasts bone-in, skin on chicken breast
- 1 ½ tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon dried rosemary
- 1 medium lemon divided*
- ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- Chopped fresh herbs such as parsley or thyme, optional for serving
Directions:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. For easy clean up, line a 9×13- inch baking dish with parchment paper.
- Arrange the chicken in the dish, skin-side up, making sure the pieces do not touch. With paper towels, pat dry.
- To a small bowl, add the oil, garlic, oregano, and rosemary. Zest the lemon directly into the bowl. Stir to combine.
- Brush the mixture liberally over the chicken, using it all.
- Cut the lemon in half. Squeeze half of the lemon over the top of the chicken. Cut the remaining half into 6 wedges, then tuck the wedges around and slightly under the chicken breasts.
- Sprinkle the tops of the chicken with salt and pepper.
- Bake the chicken for 35 to 45 minutes, depending upon the size of your breasts. Cooking time can vary widely depending upon how much your chicken breasts weigh—Extra-large split breasts that weigh more than a pound each may need more than 50 minutes. Your best bet is an instant read thermometer. Chicken is cooked through when it reaches 165 degrees F when an instant read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the breast meat (be sure it isn’t touching the bone). If you’d like the chicken more brown, place it under the broiler for 2 minutes to allow it to crisp. Watch carefully to ensure the chicken does not overcook or burn.
- Remove the chicken to a plate or cutting board and cover with foil. Let rest 5 to 10 minutes. Sprinkle with a bit of additional salt and/or herbs to taste. Enjoy warm.
Notes:
- Use this recipe as a base for any of your favorite seasoning blends. Season the chicken prior to cooking and use the amount of olive oil and cooking times stated in the recipe.
- Lemon pairs well with chicken, but if you prefer a simpler seasoning, you can omit the lemon and follow the recipe as directed.
- For a leaner/lower fat meal, remove the skin. The chicken will be moist, and retain the flavor of the lemon and herbs
- TO STORE: Refrigerate chicken breast in an airtight storage container for up to 3 days.
- TO REHEAT: Gently rewarm leftovers in a baking dish in the oven at 350 degrees F or in the microwave.
- TO FREEZE: Freeze chicken in an airtight freezer-safe storage container for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.