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Lemon & Oregano Roast Chicken

Balanced, flavorful, and enjoyable—this recipe has it all.

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
2 hrs
Total Time
2 hrs 10 mins
Servings: 6 people
Calories: 344 kcal
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: French

Ingredients

  • 1 whole organic chicken patted dry (about 5 lbs)
  • 1/2 cup oregano leaves fresh and loosely packed
  • 2 organic lemons zested
  • 1 Juice of 1 lemon
  • 4 cloves garlic peeled
  • 2 Tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 Tablespoon sea salt
  • 1 teaspoon fresh ground pepper

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. In a small food processor, combine oregano, lemon zest, lemon juice and garlic. Pulse a few times until it looks like pesto. Add olive oil, salt and pepper and pulse to combine.
  2. Using your hands, rub lemon-oregano marinade all over chicken. Using your fingers, gently lift the skin on either side of the neck and rub plenty of marinade directly onto the breast meat, under the skin. Don't forget to get some inside the cavity (where the organs were).
  3. (optional) Truss your bird if desired. Elise has a helpful step-by-step photo tutorial on how to truss a chicken. Why truss? It's basically for looks, and brings the legs together nicely. I do not bother to truss my birds, but do admire how the end product of a trussed roast chicken looks. It's up to you.
  4. Refrigerate for 2-8 hours to allow the marinade to infuse the meat. Remove from fridge about an hour before cooking.
  5. Preheat oven to 450°F.
  6. Place chicken in roasting pan breast side up (I like to use a clay baker for roasting fowl, but unfortunately mine broke during our move last winter!) and place in oven. Roast for ten minutes.
  7. Reduce heat to 400°F and roast about 1 hour and 45 minutes, checking for doneness after 1 1/4 hours.
  8. Remove from oven, cover loosely with aluminum foil and let stand 20 minutes before slicing.

Notes

  • Approximate free-range chicken roasting times (unstuffed)2½ - 3 lbs - 1 - 1¾ hrs3½ - 4 lbs - 1½ - 1¾ hrs4½ - 5 lbs -1½ - 2 hrs5 - 6 lbs - 1¾ - 2½ hrs

Nutrition Information

Calories 344kcal (17%) Carbohydrates 9g (3%) Protein 25g (50%) Fat 24g (37%) Saturated Fat 6g (30%) Cholesterol 95mg (32%) Sodium 1254mg (52%) Potassium 373mg (11%) Fiber 3g (12%) Sugar 2g (4%) Vitamin A 245IU (5%) Vitamin C 31.3mg (35%) Calcium 96mg (10%) Iron 3mg (17%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 6people

Amount Per Serving

Calories 344

% Daily Value*

Calories 344kcal 17%
Carbohydrates 9g 3%
Protein 25g 50%
Fat 24g 37%
Saturated Fat 6g 30%
Cholesterol 95mg 32%
Sodium 1254mg 52%
Potassium 373mg 8%
Fiber 3g 12%
Sugar 2g 4%
Vitamin A 245IU 5%
Vitamin C 31.3mg 35%
Calcium 96mg 10%
Iron 3mg 17%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

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