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Who needs rotisserie chicken with these amazing, super simple Roasted Chicken Breasts with Lemon, Garlic and Rosemary?
I love to serve these Roasted Chicken Breasts with Lemon, Garlic and Rosemary for dinner but they're also wonderful to have stashed in the fridge for sandwiches, salads, pizzas, wraps, etc.
A couple times a month one of my local grocers has bone-in chicken breasts on sale for 99¢ a pound. I always stock up and throw a bunch in the freezer for all kinds of chicken dishes, this being one of our favorites. Although I love the lean boneless chicken breasts, these bone-in/skin-on breasts are much better for roasting; they result in moist succulent white meat every time, as long as you don't overcook them.
This week I'll also be sharing the wonderful Two Potato Swirls with Goat Cheese and Sweet Garlic that I paired with the chicken along with a dessert that you definitely won't want to miss - Peanut Butter Tart with Shortbread Crust & Chocolate Ganache Glaze.
Two Potato Swirls With Goat Cheese and Sweet Garlic
Peanut Butter Tart w/ Shortbread Crust & Chocolate Ganache Glaze
So saddle up and get prepared for a fun, delicious ride this week; a dinner that's simple enough for every day, yet delightful for entertaining since much of it can be prepped in advance with just a little last minute roasting.
Added bonus? - The roasting fills your home with irresistible aromas. Don't be surprised, when you've got these Roasted Chicken Breasts with Lemon, Garlic and Rosemary in the oven, if the neighbors "just happen" to knock at your door!
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Roasted Chicken Breasts with Lemon, Garlic and Rosemary
Ingredients
- 4 bone-in chicken breast halves, 2 whole breasts
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary
- 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
- Early in the day (at least 4 hours in advance) mix the rosemary, garlic, salt, pepper, lemon zest, lemon juice and olive oil together in a small bowl. Rinse the chicken breasts and pat them dry. Press the rosemary mixture into the flesh of the chicken on all sides. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 4-8 hours
- When ready to bake chicken, preheat the oven to 450˚F and put a rack in the middle position. I like to line my sheet pan with foil to make clean-up easy.
- Place the chicken breasts on a shallow roasting pan skin side down. Roast for 15 minutes, then turn the breasts skin side up. Continue roasting until the breasts reach 160˚F* in the thickest part, another 15-30 minutes. If breasts vary greatly in size you may need to remove the smaller ones 5 minutes before the larger ones. Cover chicken with foil and allow to rest, loosely covered with foil, for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
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This chicken is absolutely delicious, it’s made its way into our regular rotation. Served over mashed potatoes with a lemon chicken gravy, perfection!
Wonderful! Thank you for the review, Julie!
I love chicken with rosemary and lemon so I’m looking forward to trying this recipe. As you know, the size of chicken breasts varies greatly depending on the brand or whether it’s organic chicken, etc. Do you have a approximate weight for each chicken breast used in this recipe? Thanks so much!
Hi Glinda, I have used different size chicken breasts for this recipe. The best way to determine doneness is with an instant thermometer which should read 160-165˚F or 71-74˚C.
Delicious recipe! We all loved it. So juicy. .thank you for sharing.
I'm so glad, Cindy!
This chicken was absolutely delicious! I feel like roasted chicken can often be a disappointment because the flavor doesn't tend to make it past the skin, but that was not the case here due to marinating it in advance. We actually had this for Christmas dinner and it was so easy, I loved being able to prep it in advance and then just pop it in the oven when we were ready. Thanks for sharing this!
You're welcome, Lauren! So happy you enjoyed it. Thanks for sharing your results!
Chicken should never be rinsed or washed.....
Thanks for sharing your opinion. Everyone has different cooking techniques. I like to rinse my chicken and pat it dry before proceeding with a recipe. I'm not always certain how it's been handled before it reaches me.
My chicken skin stuck to the foil when I went to turn it over 🥲
I'm from the south and we throughly clean our raw chicken with vinegar and water then pat dry as well. Meat processing is a very dirty business and you'd be shocked that your meat was on the ground or laying in other unmentionable animal secretions before it hit your plate. Cleaning meat is a healthy habit
Can you make this with boneless chicken breast? Looks amazing!
Hi Stephanie, it is a wonderful recipe. I wouldn't try this exact recipe with boneless chicken as it would dry out too much. We don't eat the skin either but the skin and bones do keep it nice as moist as it bakes. Here is a recipe for baked chicken breasts. You will notice that the time and technique is quite different. https://thecafesucrefarine.com/juicy-tender-baked-boneless-chicken-breasts/
You could also make grilled boneless chicken breasts with the same flavor profile:https://thecafesucrefarine.com/lemon-rosemary-grilled-chicken-breasts/
I made this and failed to realize I needed to put the rosemary mixture on 4 to 8 hours in advance. Soooooo it went on and then in the oven. It was still fabulous and I also had no lemon zest just the juice was used. Highly recommend this and it's something for any night or a special occasion. Yes it's that good!
Thanks for sharing your results Linda, that's so good to know that, even on the spur of the moment, this recipe turns out well.
I'm making this for a dinner party tomorrow evening! I know it's going to be delicious 🙂
Your second directional point says "minutes before dinner" How many minutes before dinner..... 40? There is no time amount there.... you want to eat dinner right away don't you? So you have to start early....
Secondly it sounds great.... and if you wanted to make it a citrus night.... add the lemon roast potatoes, and lemon rice soup!
Sorry, corrected!
Excellent recipe! So tender and flavorful. Definitely one of our favorite ways to eat bone-in chicken breast.
Thanks for sharing your results, Ornit! So happy you enjoyed it!
Rosemary was created for chicken and a squeeze of lemon just takes it all over the top. Delish.
wow that's looks amazing I like the combination
Delicious combination! The only thing about this recipe is that calls for a lot of salt in the marinade. I cut the salt in half, and still found it a little salty for my taste. Adjust accordingly.
Oh my goodness! That is a meal fit for a king! Everything is perfect.
I tried to use ''calamansi' instead of lemon and its still perfect! Great recipe! 😀
This sounds heavenly....I love lemon and rosemary....they must have so much flavor. Looks like I will have to give this one a try. Thanks!
Just fabulous, Chris...love the flavors and everything about this recipe! Easy, too!
Hi there, sad to say that your content has been stolen. take a look at this link
http://foodready.blogspot.in/2013/03/roasted-chicken-breasts-w-lemon-garlic.html
Thanks Swasthi, it seems that this has been a problem with other bloggers too, i will check into it!
I have the feeling that I would LOVE having you for a neighbor, Vicki!
Oh, how I was I was your neighbor! I know it wouldn't be good for my waistline, but it would be oh, so worth it!
Oh, how I wish I was your neighbor! But then, I would weigh 500 pounds! It might be worth it...
Everything looks just amazing! Your friend is really blessed!XO
Such a wonderful meal, you are a good friend! From the roast chicken to the chocolate dessert, all delicious;-)
For you sweet Claire anything! Your wish is my command - now you just have to scoot across that big blue ocean!
If I were that guest I would surely feel very special and blessed! EVERYTHING looks amazing!
xxx
Very very pretty! It's nice to hear of someone so young having gray hairs since I started going gray at 23. I thought THAT was young! The birthday dinner you created is stunning and I'm sure she was incredibly pleased. How lucky she is to have you cooking for her!
Hi Ginny! I do feel a bit like I'm running a French bistro when I serve this yummy chicken! A girl can pretend, right?
I have worked for the past 25 years as a mother/baby nurse. I have really enjoyed it and feel so blessed to have this profession. I work the 12 hour shifts so when I work, it's a bit like a fireman; it's work, work, work. But then when I'm off, I have nice extended periods and I like to enjoy my family and ...... cook, cook, cook! 🙂
This looks just wonderful, and a little bit French, as well. Can I ask what your job is, do you work full time?
Leap Year baby--how fun! You fixed such a wonderful and gourmet birthday meal for your friend, this looks spectacular. I can just imagine how amazing your kitchen must have smelled!!
I love lemon and rosemary together, great combination and your sweet potatoes are adorable! You really put thought and work into your dishes. I love them!!
Now Chris my Birthday is on the 22nd.. do you think you could re-make this feast? Pretty please?
I cannot wait to see the recipe for your choc-peanut butter tart. It looks so good it nearly jumps out of the screen into my mouth!
Rosemary garlic and chicken!! What more can I ask?
I cant wait for the potato swirls! They look lovely, my son will love them!
A perfect chicken dish - I really don't think you can beat these flavors!
Mary x
Oh my goodness, you make me laugh, Sandra...............
Don't be surprised if I show up with a couple of rubbermaid containers! That chicken looks amazing and I agree that bone is results in a moister chicken breast. And those potatoes and that tart, oh my word!!!!
What a delightful dinner. I'm sure you're friend was super pleased with this elegant dinner Chris. That chicken looks moist and flavorful!
My birthday is in August! This is a perfect menu. Thanks for sharing.
This is totally my type of chicken meal. I really like it. Plus, unlike whole roasted chicken, it cooks really fast and I like it!
This looks fabulous! I have been craving lemon chicken for a couple of weeks now -- may make this tonight with a whole cut-up chicken I picked up yesterday. Thanks!
Lemon, garlic and rosemary. Chickens all over the world should write odes to those three, don't you think. It's the trifecta of poultry goodness.
The dinner looks amazing and I'm sure your friend enjoyed every bite of the food and minute of the company!
There is something about the smell of roasting chicken that just makes one feel good. And your dessert. What a treat. What a dear friend you are. Susan
Looks like a wonderful dinner! I love Rosemary:@)
I'd love to fix dinner for you! When your birthday rolls round, just pack your bags and head on over! 🙂