Lemon Roasted Chicken

This Lemon Roast Chicken starts with fresh chicken that is highly seasoned and sprinkled with citrus flavor that’s roasted in delicious juices, onions and potatoes.
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When you need an easy weeknight dinner that won’t quit, make my Lemon Roasted Chicken recipe boos. Tender, juicy chicken gets a bold flavor boost with a generous mix of seasonings and citrus zest kick. We bake it to perfection with tender golden potatoes and caramelized onions that soak up all those savory, perfectly spiced, lemony juices creating the ultimate comfort food. Get into this lemon roasted chicken. I promise you won’t be disappointed.

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Lemon roasted chicken in a dutch oven over on a white countertop with lemons ready to enjoy

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Five star review

“Loved it!! Husband said it’s a keeper.”

—JUDY S.

The Lowdown on This Lemon Roasted Chicken recipe

Closeup of Jocelyn in pink dress smiling

For us busy mamas, throwing together an easy, fuss free yet delish dinner is the ultimate skillset. That’s exactly why I fall back on this lemon roasted chicken recipe more times than I can count.

I’ve probably made it at least once a week for several years. I thought my fam would get tired of it but they love it just as much as I do. The flavors are undeniable, and it couldn’t be easier to make. It is the ultimate recipe without a recipe because you can do your own thang, swap out spices, add your faves or have some fun, and it will still turn out perfectly. Let’s get into it.

Ingredients you’ll need to make lemon roast chicken

Chicken, sliced potatoes, spices, lemon, onion, on white countertop
  • Potatoes: Peeled then sliced then ready to soak up all those juicy flavors.
  • Onion: A large, chopped onion to add some savory depth to the dish.
  • Olive Oil: A nice healthy drizzle of extra virgin olive oil adds that silky, rich touch.
  • Seasoning: Salt, pepper, and lemon pepper are what we bring to the table here. This trio brings the zing, the zang, and the zesty!
  • Garlic & Paprika: A teaspoon of garlic powder for that aromatic warmth, paired with a hint of paprika for a subtle smoky undertone.
  • Chicken: Chicken pieces that are about to get a lemony makeover, turning them into the main event.
  • Lemon: Small lemons, sliced in half, ready to shower this dish with their citrusy, tangy joy.

How to make lemon roasted chicken

Potato slices and onions in dutch oven on white countertop
1
Add potato slices and onions to the bottom of the dutch oven.
Seasoned potatoes and onions in a dutch oven
2
Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt, pepper and lemon pepper to taste. Season with half of garlic powder and paprika.
Chicken pieces on a white plate seasoned on white countertop
3
Season both sides of chicken pieces with salt, pepper and lemon pepper.
Seasoned chicken pieces on potatoes and onions in a dutch oven
4
Place chicken facing up on top of potatoes and onions. Season with remaining garlic powder and paprika.
Seasoned chicken on potatoes with butter and lemons in dutch oven
5
Sprinkle with lemon juice then add lemon slices to pan. Cut butter into small pats and add to the top of the chicken.
Covered chicken in a dutch oven
6
Cover dutch oven and bake for 1 hour or until chicken is cooked through and potatoes and onions are tender and caramelized.
Roasted chicken in a dutch oven after baking ready to enjoy
7
If you want to brown the top of the dish further and add more color, place under a broiler for a few minutes until it reaches the color you prefer. Cool for 10-15 minutes, sprinkle with parsley and serve.

What to serve with roasted lemon chicken

A delicious cobb salad with jerk shrimp and dressing in a pink bowl ready to enjoy
Cobb salad with shrimp is full of fun flavors and perfect for starting your spring menu off right.
A close up of honey glazed carrots with fork pierced into one carrot
These honey glazed carrots are the perfect side dish for this meal. They scream spring!
The best green bean casserole recipe with spoons digging in
Green bean casserole is the ultimate side dish for getting your spring veggies in.
A slice of pineapple upside down cake being taken out of a cake on a white background
Pineapple upside down cake is the perfect way to end this meal.

Recipe Substitutions

  • Yukon Gold Potatoes: You can swap these out with russet for a fluffier texture. Or use sweet potatoes for a touch of sweetness.
  • Olive Oil: You can replace this with another neutral oil like avocado oil or even vegetable oil. Ghee can also add a nice buttery flavor.
  • Chicken: Select any pieces you want from chicken breasts and thighs to a whole chicken. Just spatchcock it so it stays juicy and cooks evenly over the potatoes.
  • Lemons: Go with another citrus like limes or oranges for another zesty note.

Recipe Variations and Additions

  • Toss in the Veggies: Add in zucchini, bell peppers, carrots along with the potatoes for a nice mix of vibrant flavors.
  • Get Herby: Use a mix of thyme, parsley and rosemary for an earthy fragrant touch.
  • Spice it Up: Get some smoked paprika, crushed red pepper flakes or cayenne in the mix.
A close up of lemon roast chicken in a dutch oven with lemon halves ready to serve

Expert Tips and Tricks

  1. Cut those potato uniformly: Make sure you thinly slice the potatoes the same size so they bake evenly and also cook faster.
  2. Pat Dry: Make sure you dry that chicken with paper towels before you season and bake. It will help that seasoning stick and brown perfectly.
  3. Season everything: I like to season the chicken, onions and potatoes separately so each component has poppin flavor.
  4. Be Careful: For that perfect browning, you can have the chicken under the broiler for a few seconds. Watch carefully so. you get that nice golden caramelized finish.

How to store & reheat roasted lemon chicken

To store leftovers, first let it cool to room temp, then place it in an airtight container. For reheating, warm it in the oven at 350°F for about 10-15 minutes, or until it’s heated through and the skin is crispy again. This method helps to retain the flavors and keeps the chicken moist and delish boos!

How long will lemon roast chicken last in the fridge?

It should last for up to 3-4 days.

Can I freeze roast lemon chicken?

For sure boos. Just make sure you bring the entire meal to room temp then divide the potatoes and chicken separately. They should last for about 3 months.

Roasted chicken with lemon and potatoes on a white plate with lemons in the background

Frequently asked questions

Can I use boneless chicken instead for this roasted lemon chicken?

The simple answer is yes however the bone definitely provides more moisture so it stays juicy while cooking. Just know that it also may cook faster too so check after 40 minutes of cooking.

Should I marinate the chicken?

If you have time for this extra step, it will give you more flavor. You can marinate in lemon juice, garlic, olive oil and herbs for a little something extra!

Help! My chicken is done but my potatoes aren’t tender yet!

No worries boos. Just remove the chicken from the dutch oven, then cover and continue cooking the potatoes until they are tender.

Lemon roast chicken cut into on a white plate with potatoes ready to serve

Y’all this lemon roasted chicken recipe is it boos! Grab the simple ingredients and get ready for a flavor bomb of epic proportions. I love throwing this together on a busy weeknight and letting the oven do the heavy lifting. Get into it boos.

More easy chicken recipes

Lemon roasted chicken in a dutch oven over on a white countertop with lemons ready to enjoy

Lemon Roasted Chicken

This Lemon Roast Chicken starts with fresh chicken that is highly seasoned and sprinkled with citrus flavor that’s roasted in delicious juices, onions and potatoes.
4.31 from 86 votes
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Course: Main Course
Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients

  • 6 medium gold potatoes peeled and thinly sliced (can also use russet)
  • 1 large onion chopped
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • Salt, pepper and lemon pepper to taste
  • 2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 pound chicken pieces
  • 2 small lemons sliced in half
  • 4 tbsp unsalted butter
  • parsley for garnishing

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
  • Add potato slices and onions to the bottom of the dutch oven.
  • Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt, pepper and lemon pepper to taste.
  • Season with half of garlic powder and paprika.
  • Season both sides of chicken pieces with salt, pepper and lemon pepper.
  • Place chicken facing up on top of potatoes and onions.
  • Season with remaining garlic powder and paprika.
  • Sprinkle with lemon juice then add lemon slices to pan.
  • Cut butter into small pats and add to the top of the chicken
  • Cover dutch oven and bake for 1 hour or until chicken is cooked through and potatoes and onions are tender and caramelized. If you want to brown the top of the dish further and add more color, place under a broiler for a few minutes until it reaches the color you prefer.
  • Cool for 10-15 minutes, sprinkle with parsley and serve.

Notes

How to store & reheat roasted lemon chicken

To store leftovers, first let it cool to room temp, then place it in an airtight container. For reheating, warm it in the oven at 350°F for about 10-15 minutes, or until it’s heated through and the skin is crispy again. This method helps to retain the flavors and keeps the chicken moist and delish boos!

How long will lemon roast chicken last in the fridge?

It should last for up to 3-4 days.

Can I freeze roast lemon chicken?

For sure boos. Just make sure you bring the entire meal to room temp then divide the potatoes and chicken separately. They should last for about 3 months.

Nutrition

Calories: 246kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 14g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 57mg | Sodium: 56mg | Potassium: 209mg | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 230IU | Vitamin C: 4.3mg | Calcium: 17mg | Iron: 0.9mg
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Filed Under:  Chicken, Dinner, Main Dishes

Comments

    1. Yes, you can, but it would change the cook time dramatically and I have not tested this recipe with chicken breasts, so I am not sure by how long.

  1. I wanted to try out my new dutch oven so decided on this recipe as it looks so yummy and it did not disappoint!! going to be a family favourite!

4.31 from 86 votes (63 ratings without comment)

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