Garlic, rosemary and lemon – are a tasty trio often used in Italian cooking. They are especially good when baked with chicken, but use caution where the lemon’s concerned as the pith can leave a lingering bitter taste.
To to get round the problem, do as I’ve done here and use preserved lemon which produces are more mellow taste, or forgo the lemon slices altogether and shave the merest hint of lemon zest into the marinade instead.
Serves: 4
PreparationTime: 10 minutes (plus 12 hours to marinate)
Cooking Time: 35 minutes
Effort Level: dead easy
Ingredients:
1kg skinless boneless chicken thighs
10 cloves garlic
4 small shallots
4 large sprigs rosemary (10g)
juice of 1 lemon
1 preserved lemon
5 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp salt
freshly ground black pepper
Equipment:
Chopping board and sharp knife
Ovenproof dish (approx 30cm x 20cm)
Lemon squeezer
Microplain
Plastic bag
Tin Foil
Here’s What You Do:
Finely slice the garlic, shallots and preserved lemon then tip into the plastic bag.
Squeeze the lemon juice into the bag with 5 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp salt and plenty of freshly ground black pepper.
Next add the chicken thighs and rosemary sprigs and massage the chicken pieces coating them well in the marinade. Seal the bag and refrigerate for 12-24 hours.
The following day, pre heat the oven to 180C/ 350F/Gas 4.
Tip the marinated chicken and rosemary sprigs into a snug fitting oven proof dish, cover with tin foil then slide onto the middle oven shelf for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and return to the top oven shelf for 5-10 minutes and golden.
Sounds scrumptious – and quick and easy. Simple things are often best. Thank you.
I notice you use skinless boneless chicken thighs, what a good idea I hate handling chicken. We will give it a go over the weekend, but probably won’t use the preserved lemons though.Bless you Uma
Great looking dish – we love love love chicken. Thanks a lot! Beth x
Wow! Must try this. Its got my juices flowing already. Many thanks. Nick
I could dive into that and eat it right now. Looks and sounds lovely. Thanks Uma