Description
Succulent lemon butter chicken brings Mediterranean sunshine to dinner tables with minimal effort. Rich herbal notes and zesty citrus create a memorable meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken:
- 10 chicken pieces (thighs and drumsticks)
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 1 tablespoon Montreal chicken seasoning
Sauce Ingredients:
- 1 cup chicken stock
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/3 cup heavy whipping cream
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1/2 cup minced red onion
- 1/2 cup chopped flat leaf parsley
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Craft a zesty sauce by gently sweating aromatic onions in melted butter until translucent and fragrant.
- Incorporate finely chopped parsley, minced garlic, tangy lemon juice, and a hint of red pepper flakes into the sautéed base.
- Pour in rich chicken stock, sprinkle grated Parmesan, and blend with creamy heavy cream, allowing the mixture to simmer and develop complex flavors.
- Generously season chicken pieces with kosher salt, smoky paprika, and a robust chicken seasoning blend.
- Transfer seasoned chicken to a spacious baking dish, cascading the luxurious sauce evenly across the surface.
- Roast uncovered in a preheated 375°F oven for approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes, carefully rotating the chicken midway to ensure uniform cooking.
- During the final moments, activate the broiler to achieve a golden, crisp exterior with caramelized edges.
- Before serving, lovingly drizzle additional warm sauce over the chicken, enhancing its moisture and intensifying the dish’s aromatic profile.
Notes
- Swap dairy alternatives easily by using coconut cream or almond milk instead of traditional cream for a lighter, lactose-free version.
- Control sodium levels by using low-sodium chicken stock and reducing added salt for heart-friendly modifications.
- Toast chicken seasoning blend quickly in a dry pan to intensify flavors and create deeper, more complex taste profile before applying to chicken.
- Prevent dry chicken by monitoring internal temperature with meat thermometer, aiming for 165°F without overcooking during extended baking time.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 490
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 34 g
- Saturated Fat: 20 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 36 g
- Cholesterol: 150 mg