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Baked Lemon Butter Chicken Recipe

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3.9 from 3 reviews

Baked Lemon Butter Chicken is a flavorful and comforting dish perfect for a stress-free Sunday dinner. Featuring tender dark meat chicken pieces seasoned with smoked paprika and chicken seasoning, cooked in a luscious lemon butter sauce with garlic, parsley, Parmesan, and cream. The chicken is baked uncovered until golden and juicy, creating a delicious meal that pairs wonderfully with rice or mashed potatoes.

  • Author: Zara
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
  • Total Time: 2 hours
  • Yield: 4-5 servings
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Chicken and Seasonings

  • 10 dark meat chicken pieces (drumsticks and thighs), trimmed of any excess fat
  • 2 tsp kosher salt
  • 1 tbsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tbsp Montreal chicken seasoning blend or any chicken seasoning of choice

Sauce

  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 1/2 cup red onion, minced
  • 1/2 cup flat leaf parsley, chopped
  • 1 tbsp garlic, minced
  • 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
  • 1 cup chicken stock
  • 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/3 cup heavy whipping cream

Instructions

  1. Melt Butter and Sauté Onions: In a skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Once melted, add the minced red onions and sauté until they become fragrant and translucent, approximately 2 minutes.
  2. Add Parsley, Garlic, Lemon, and Red Pepper Flakes: Add the chopped flat leaf parsley and minced garlic to the onions, stirring well to combine. Then add the fresh lemon juice followed by the red pepper flakes to infuse the sauce with a bright, slightly spicy flavor.
  3. Create the Sauce Base: Pour in the chicken stock and add the freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Stir until the cheese melts and integrates into the liquid, creating a rich, savory base. Then add the heavy whipping cream and stir to combine.
  4. Simmer the Sauce: Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer for about one minute to meld the flavors. After simmering, turn off the heat and let the sauce cool slightly, which will help it thicken and concentrate in flavor.
  5. Season Chicken: While the sauce cools, season the chicken pieces thoroughly with kosher salt, smoked paprika, and the chicken seasoning blend. Toss well to ensure all pieces are evenly coated with the spices.
  6. Assemble and Bake: Pour the slightly cooled sauce over the seasoned chicken in a baking dish, ensuring the sauce surrounds the pieces evenly. Place the dish uncovered in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C). Bake for 1 hour and 45 minutes, flipping the chicken halfway through the cooking time to promote even browning and cooking.
  7. Broil to Finish: After baking, switch the oven to broil and place the chicken skin side up under the broiler until the skin is golden brown and crispy.
  8. Baste and Serve: Remove the chicken from the oven and baste it with the pan sauce to finish. Serve hot for a delicious and flavorful meal.

Notes

  • To speed up cooking, increase oven temperature to 400°F (204°C) and roast for about 1 hour and 10 minutes, or until juices run clear and chicken is tender.
  • Cooking times vary based on size of chicken pieces and your oven. Larger pieces and cold chicken will take longer.
  • Letting chicken come to room temperature for 30 minutes before cooking can help it cook faster and more evenly.
  • Use visual cues like meat pulling away from the bone and fork tenderness to check doneness. A meat thermometer reading 165°F (74°C) ensures safety.
  • This chicken pairs excellently with rice or mashed potatoes to soak up the flavorful gravy.
  • Nutrition info is approximate and should be used as a guideline only.

Find it online: https://zaracooking.com/baked-lemon-butter-chicken-recipe-2/