Roasted Lemon Chicken With Spring Onion Chimichurri Recipes

ROASTED LEMON CHICKEN WITH SPRING ONION CHIMICHURRI

Steps:

• For the chicken: Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
• Finely grate the zest of one of the lemons and cut that lemon in half. Rub the chicken with salt and pepper inside and out, then rub the lemon zest all over the outside. Stuff the cavity with the halved lemon, tarragon and garlic. Put the chicken in a baking dish or small roasting pan. Cut the remaining lemon in quarters and add it to the dish along with 3/4 cup water. Brush the outside of the chicken with the butter.
• Roast until golden brown and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center of the thigh registers 165 degrees F, about 1 hour. Transfer the chicken to a cutting board and pour the pan juices into a small bowl. Let the chicken rest 10 minutes. Use a small ladle to remove the fat that rises to the top of the pan juices.
• For the chimichurri: Meanwhile, finely chop the parsley, tarragon, onions and garlic and add to a bowl. Stir in the olive oil, vinegar, red pepper flakes and 1/4 teaspoon salt.
• Carve the chicken and serve with the pan juices and chimichurri.

CHIMICHURRI CHICKEN

Steps:

• Make the sauce: On a cutting board, smash and coarsely chop the garlic with 1/2 teaspoon salt. Mash the mixture using the side of your knife until a coarse paste forms. Move the paste to the side of the cutting board, then chop the parsley and oregano together with the remaining 1 teaspoon salt. Combine the garlic paste and the chopped herbs and chop and mash until the herbs are bruised and fragrant.
• Transfer to a medium bowl. Add the red-pepper flakes, black pepper, vinegar and extra-virgin olive oil; stir to combine. (You should have about 3/4 cup chimichurri. It can be prepared in advance and refrigerated in an airtight container up to 2 days.)
• Make the chicken: Pat the chicken dry. If thickness varies greatly, pound to an even thickness, about 1/2-inch. Rub half the chimichurri all over the chicken and let sit for at least 10 minutes. (You could also refrigerate overnight; just let it come to room temperature before cooking.)
• Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high. Wipe off excess marinade from the chicken and cook until juices run clear, about 5 minutes per side for thighs and 4 minutes per side for breasts. (For grilling and oven instructions, see Tips below.)
• Serve with remaining chimichurri spooned over top.