There’s nothing quite like the combination of lemon and chicken. Some kind of magic happens, and the two make each other better. 🤝
This lemon herb chicken marinade draws inspiration from a few places: nocrumbsleft’s Heroine Chicken, I Heart Umami’s rendition of that same chicken, and my dad’s salt and lemon roast chicken. With time, the recipe morphed into a rendition of the three, and I’m thrilled to share this recipe as the finale to our Back to Basics series.
How to Keep Chicken Moist and Tender in the Oven
The key to preventing a dry chicken? A brine. In technical terms, a brine is used to help retain moisture, especially for leaner meats like chicken. However, I’ve found this lemon herb chicken marinade does a great job at keeping chicken moist and tender in the oven. While both methods take preparation and time, think of the extra step as an insurance policy for a moist chicken.
Another recommendation is to buy your chicken bone-in and skin-on. The bone helps distribute heat evenly, keeping the meat moist and tender, while the skin helps seal in moisture. By getting your chicken bone-in and skin-on, you’ll get the most bang for your buck. Plus, you can save your bones for making stock. (Not to mention, the roasted skin is arguably the most drool-worthy part of this dish.)
My last piece of advice for moist, tender meat is to use your hands. (You won’t need to get your hands dirty for this.) I typically keep the marinade in a resealable Ziploc or Stasher bag and tenderize the meat by making two fists to pound the meat. The goal isn’t to flatten the meat completely, rather, it’s to help with tenderizing.
What Does Marinating Chicken Do?
The primary functions of a marinade are to add flavor and tenderize the meat by beginning the breakdown process of cooking. There are three components of a marinade:
- an acid
- an oil
- a flavoring agent
The oil acts as a flavor carrier and helps retain moisture, while the acid breaks down tissue and helps tenderize the meat.
In this lemon herb chicken marinade, olive oil is our fat of choice. It works as a carrier for the herbs used in the marinade: garlic, sumac, lemon zest, parsley, and pepper. Lemon is our acid of choice.
What is Sumac Good For?
Sumac is a fragrant, tangy spice widely used in Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisine. It derives from the berries of the wild sumac flower. Its flavor is acidic, akin to lemon, making it a perfect addition to this lemon herb chicken marinade.
Like many herbs, sumac is rich in antioxidants. According to Healthline, “Sumac contains a variety of nutrients and antioxidants that may play a role in lowering blood sugar and alleviating muscle pain.”
Salad Recipes with Chicken
While this recipe is too good to save for later, it’s the perfect protein to use for ingredient prep or salads. Once it’s cooled, chop the chicken, save the bones for stock (I keep them in the freezer), and use the chicken for a salad.
After you’ve made your chicken, the options are endless! I’ve used this chicken recipe for cobb salads and Caeser salads. The chicken is so flavorful and pairs well with any recipe where chicken is needed.
My favorite way to enjoy this chicken? This baby arugula salad with grains.
For a quick and nutritious salad, toss any vegetables you have in your fridge, followed by a drizzle of olive oil and a squeeze of lemon. You can dive into my salad guide for details on how to make a good salad (one you actually crave).
A staple for me is to add the chicken to a bowl of pre-washed leafy greens, roasted vegetables (like broccoli, cauliflower, beets), and avocado. It’s Fab Four compliant and ensures I’m hitting all my nutrition marks with protein, fat, fiber, and leafy greens.
Gave this marinade a try? How’d the chicken turn out? Let me know in the comments below!
Lemon Herb Chicken Marinade for Roasting (Paleo, Whole30)
Materials
Lemon Herb Chicken Marinade
- 4 chicken thighs or breast (1.5 to 1.75 lbs.) bone-in, skin-on
- 4 tbsp olive oil
- 6 garlic minced
- handful of parsley chopped
- 1 tbsp sumac
- 2 tsp black peppercorns crushed
- 2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp dry thyme
- Zest of 1 lemon
- Juice of 1 lemon
For Roasting, Day of (Optional)
- 1 onion sliced, to place under the chicken during roasting
Instructions
Marinade (Start day before, at least 8 hours)
- Prepare all ingredients under 'Lemon Herb Chicken Marinade.'
- Pat chicken dry and add all ingredients to a large disposable Ziploc bag or reusable silicone storage bag. Make sure the mixture is spread evenly.
- Seal your bag 75%, so there's space for air to travel in and out. Make two fists with your hands and begin to pound the chicken. This can be firm action (not too harsh but not too light). Keep your eyes on the marinade so it doesn't come out the bag.
- Seal the bag completely. Marinate for at least 8 hours in the refridgerator. Overnight is best. The marinade period can last up to 48 hours.
Roasting
- Preheat oven to 425°F. Take out of the fridge. Let chicken sit for 15 minutes to bring down to room temperature.
- While waiting for the chicken to come to room temperature, slice 1 onion and place onto a small roasting pan (one that's big enough to fit the chicken). Drizzle with olive oil.
- Shake off excess marinade. Place chicken on top of the onions. To prevent the onions from burning, make sure the onions are covered by the chicken.
- Bake at 425°F and set timer for 25 minutes.
- After 25 minutes, Turn the temperature down to 400°F and bake for another 20-25 minutes, or as needed until the internal temperature reaches 165-170°F (or until desired doneness). You can also check if the chicken is done by piercing through the thickest part of the chicken and juices run clear. If you hit the bone, pull back a bit.
- Once done, take the pan out of the oven. Remove the chicken and cover loosely with foil or covering of choice. Let rest for 5 minutes.
- If roasting onions, they will most likely need more time in the oven. To let the onion continue roasting, turn down the temperature to 375°F and let roast for another 10-20 minutes, or until golden-brown.
