Easy Peasy Lemon Squeezy: My Favorite Chicken Recipe
Want to add a little pizzazz and impress everyone at your next dinner party or family meal? Look no further than your local farmer's market for inspiration. With all the fresh and delicious ingredients, it’s hard to go wrong.
It’s no secret that I LOVE the Richland Farmer’s Market. I’m there just about every Saturday. All week I look forward to visiting my favorite vendors, seeing what’s in season, and trying some yummy food.
I’ve always avoided cooking a whole chicken. It just seemed so daunting. But during one of my visits to the Hidden Holler Farms booth for my weekly free-range eggs, I decided I was going for it. I haven’t looked back since! Their chickens are pasture raised just outside of Nashville, TN. Big plus for it being local.
So without further ado the easiest chicken recipe you’ll find yourself making week after week.
Ingredients:
1 4 pound chicken
1/4 cup butter, melted
3-4 cloves of garlic, chopped
1/2 tsp lemon zest
1 tsp lemon pepper seasoning
1 tsp salt
Fresh cracked pepper
Olive oil
2-3 carrots
2 Celery stick
Root vegetables (potatoes, parsnips, turnips, etc.)
1/2 onion (white, yellow or sweet)
1 lemon
1 head of garlic
Optional:
Fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary
Baking twine (to tie up the chicken legs)
Now that you have your ingredients ready, let's get cooking!
To start, preheat your oven to 400 degrees.
In a mixing bowl, melt 1/4 cup of butter and add 3-4 cloves of chopped garlic, lemon zest, lemon pepper seasoning, and salt. Mix well and adjust to your liking. This mixture will be used to dress the chicken.
Next, prepare your vegetables. I like to use carrots, celery, and root veggies like potatoes and parsnips. I take my cue from whatever is in season and available at the farmers market that day. Wash, chop, and place them in a cast iron skillet or baking dish. My amounts are just suggestions. If you have a bigger baking dish, feel free to fill it up to your hearts content!
Add the chicken on top.
Now, it's time to dress the chicken. Lift up the skin and pour in the butter mixture a little at a time. Make sure to spread it around evenly. If you have extra, drizzle it on top of the skin.
Drizzle olive oil all over the top of the skin. Spread it around and then sprinkle with a little more salt and pepper. This will make the skin delicious and crispy.
Last but not least, stuff the cavity. Alternate your onion and lemons slices, with the had of garlic in the middle. If you have any fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary, add those in as well. There are no rules here! If you have baking twine, you can tie up the legs, but if not, no worries.
Make sure the chicken is breast side up. Place the pan in the oven on the middle rack for 1 hour. Check on it every 20-30 minutes until it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees.
Not only is this dish delicious, but it's also easy and very customizable it is. There are no rules so you can change up the seasoning and veggies to whatever you like! And the cherry on top is you are using fresh, local ingredients, making it all the more special.
The next time you're in the mood for some tasty chicken, head to your local farmer's market and give this recipe a try. And make sure to tag @househuntwithsam next time you do!
