This flavorful Greek chicken, recreated for the home cook, is inspired by a dish at Johnny’s Restaurant in Homewood, Alabama, where the menu reflects the chef’s Greek heritage and Alabama upbringing. It’s tender and juicy, marinated in a blend of olive oil, herbs, and lemon, and roasted to perfection.
To achieve a nice browning, roast the chicken at a relatively hot 425 degrees F and give it a blast of heat from the broiler at the end of cooking.
Greek Chicken
Serves 4
- 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh rosemary
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh thyme
- 5 garlic cloves, chopped
- 6 (3-inch) strips lemon zest, chopped, plus 1 tablespoon juice
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt
- 1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 3 pounds bone-in chicken pieces (2 split breasts, 2 drumsticks, 2 thighs, and 2 wings, wingtips discarded)
Combine oil, rosemary, thyme, garlic, lemon zest, salt, oregano, coriander, pepper flakes, and pepper in a large bowl. Cut three 1/2-inch-deep slits in the skin side of each chicken breast, two 1/2-inch-deep slits in the skin side of each thigh, and two 1/2-inch-deep slits in each drumstick; leave wings whole. Transfer chicken to bowl with marinade and turn to thoroughly coat, making sure marinade gets into slits. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or up to 2 hours.
Adjust oven rack 6 inches from broiler element and heat oven to 425 degrees F. Place chicken, skin side up, in a 12-inch oven-safe skillet. Using a rubber spatula, scrape any remaining marinade from the bowl over chicken. Roast until breasts register 160 degrees F and drumsticks/thighs register 175 degrees F, 30 to 35 minutes.
Remove skillet from oven and spoon pan juices over top of chicken to wet skin. Heat broiler. Broil chicken until skin is lightly browned, about 3 minutes, rotating skillet as necessary for even browning. Let chicken rest in skillet for 10 minutes. Transfer chicken to a shallow platter. Stir lemon juice into pan juices, then spoon over chicken. Serve.
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