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Baked Greek Lemon Chicken

Baked Greek lemon chicken with a caramelized lemon-oregano glaze. Roasted chicken pieces bake at high heat until deeply golden, with tender lemon slices and caramelized garlic in the pan drippings.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Marinating 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: Greek
Calories: 620
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Chicken pieces marinade
  • 0.33 cup olive oil
  • 0.33 cup fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tbsp lemon zest
  • 6 clove garlic
  • 2 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 0.5 salt to taste
  • 0.5 cracked black pepper to taste
Chicken and bake ingredients
  • 1 whole chicken, cut into pieces or 3-4 pounds bone-in chicken parts
  • 2 lemons, thinly sliced
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 0.5 fresh oregano for garnish

Equipment

  • 1 sheet pan

Method
 

Marinate the chicken
  1. Whisk olive oil, fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, garlic, dried oregano, dried thyme, smoked paprika, salt, and cracked black pepper until evenly combined.
  2. Add the chicken pieces and marinate for at least 30 minutes so the flavors soak in.
Roast at high heat
  1. Preheat the oven to 425°F.
  2. Arrange the marinated chicken skin-side up in a large roasting pan or baking dish.
  3. Pour chicken broth around the chicken, then tuck lemon slices around and under the pieces.
  4. Roast for 40-45 minutes, basting with pan juices once halfway through, until the skin is deeply golden and the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
Finish and serve
  1. Spoon the caramelized pan drippings over the chicken before serving.
  2. Garnish with fresh oregano.

Notes

For the juiciest results, make sure the chicken is skin-side up and baste once halfway through for that glossy, caramelized finish. Refrigerate leftovers in a covered container for up to 3-4 days; freeze up to 2 months (reheat in a 350°F oven until hot). Swap option: use bone-in chicken thighs for extra forgiveness and slightly higher fat that keeps the meat moist.