Do you wish for an easy lemon chicken recipe you can toss together in one pan then let the oven finish the work for you? Well, look no further, our One-Pan Italian Garlic Lemon Chicken Bake is it! This dinner is fast to prepare and loaded with our favorite Italian flavors of lemon, garlic, fennel, oregano, and paprika. We love it! We're sure it'll become a family favorite of yours, too.
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Why the post delay
Before we get to the Lemon Chicken with the fantastic sauce, I have to apologize for being late in posting this recipe. 🙁 Have I been lazy? Nope! Have I been procrastinating? Not this time! Then what have I been doing? Well, besides celebrating our 47th wedding anniversary this week, I'm taking a photography course that gives me a daily assignment. I then have to post the photo or photos on Instagram. If you're following us there, then you've seen the non-food photos.
Improving my photo skills and learning to use my camera are some of my New Year's Resolutions. I hope you don't mind, but I shared some of my photos on this post. Capturing birds in flight were one of the techniques I wanted to learn.
You see, I couldn't get my youngest grandson to sit still and I really wanted a portrait of him. Well, I figured I'd better learn how to take a photo with the subject moving. Right now we're surrounded by shorebirds. I chose the pelicans for my speedy subject. On land, they may stagger around like drunks, but in flight, they soar!! These photos were a study on shutter speed.
Now let's get to the lemon chicken recipe.
First the marinade
This easy to make marinade infuses the lemon chicken with a garlicky citrus tang that helps the meat stay juicy and moist.We used bone-in chicken thighs for this recipe. If you like, use bone-in chicken drumsticks or a combination of both thighs and drumsticks.
You don't need any fancy ingredients for the lemon chicken, and you don't need to do a lot of prep work. Let's raise our hand if we're for that! We may love to cook, but there is something to be said about easy dishes that end up tasting like they came from an expensive restaurant.
Second toss ingredients in one pan
Along with the lemon chicken, we decided to make a complete one-pan meal by adding some fennel, potatoes, onion, and cherry tomatoes. It seems like we are using fennel more and more in our dishes, we even made it a star in our Fennel Salad with Orange. We like the mild anise {licorice} taste.
Is there an unusual ingredient you like using? What do you make with it?
We chose to use our large Braiser for the Lemon Chicken recipe, but you can also use a heavy-duty baking dish. The reasons we like using the braiser, aside from it being a gift from our kids, are that we can brown the meat before putting the chicken in the oven plus the braiser has a heavy duty lid.
Last the oven does the cooking
We brown the meat in the braiser then cook it covered in the oven for 20 minutes and then it cooks uncovered for an additional 25- 30 minutes more. You want to make sure the pan isn't too large for the lemon chicken, you don't want the tasty sauce to evaporate.
With one pan you have a spectacular Italian Garlic Lemon Chicken dish that didn't take much effort or fancy ingredients! We hope you try the recipe and let us know how you like it.
If you like the taste of lemon and garlic with your chicken be sure to try our Italian Herb Marinated Oven Baked Chicken Breast Recipe.
And another one-pan meal that I'm sure you'll love is our Chicken Scarpariello recipe. It's also know as shoemaker's chicken which features braised chicken and Italian sausage. So good - you'll want to make it often.
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This is the braiser you see in the photo. It was a Christmas gift from our son and now I don't know what we'd do without it. It's wonderful for the stove top and then to put in the oven. It's so pretty we can even bring it to the table to serve. (Oh! and with a heatproof trivet underneath. The pan stays hot.)
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📖 Recipe
One-Pan Italian Garlic Lemon Chicken Bake-A Complete Meal
Ingredients
- Marinade/Sauce
- 4 chicken thighs or 8 chicken drumsticks or combination of both we used 4 thighs
- ½ cup fresh lemon juice
- 6 garlic cloves minced
- 2 tsp. Dijon mustard
- 1 Tbsp. honey
- 1 Tbsp. dried oregano
- 1 tsp. smoked paprika
- 1 Tbsp. olive oil
- ½ tsp. salt
- black pepper q.b. quanto basta to your taste
- Sauté/Bake
- 1 Tbsp. olive oil
- ¾ cup chicken broth or stock
- ¼ cup dry vermouth or dry white wine
- 4 small to medium potatoes quartered
- 2 onions quartered
- 1 large fennel bulb sliced
- 1 tsp. smoked paprika
- 8 oz. grape tomatoes halved
- Salt and pepper
- 2 lemons halved
- Fresh Italian parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Whisk the marinade ingredients together in a bowl. Put the mixture in a ziplock bag along with the thighs then place in refrigerator for 20 - 30 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 350F/180C.
- Heat 1 Tablespoon olive oil in Braiser or deep oven proof skillet. Sauté the thighs first bone side down for 2 minutes on medium-high then on skin side down for 2 minutes. If you're using legs it doesn't matter which side first. Lightly brown the outside. Pour the marinade into the braiser, then add the broth, potatoes, onions, and fennel. (Note 1)
- Cover with lid or foil and bake for 20 minutes.
- Remove cover, turn chicken so that the thigh skin is up. Add the tomatoes, sprinkle with the smoked paprika, salt and pepper. Turn up the oven to 400F/205C for an additional 25 minutes or until the potatoes and chicken are cooked. Internal temperature of the chicken should be 165F/75C. Keep an eye on the liquid so that it doesn't evaporate. Add a bit of water if needed.
- Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes.
- Garnish with Italian parsley leaves and two halved lemons that were panfried with a bit of oil.This makes them pretty and colorful.
Notes
Nutrition
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Helen @ Fuss Free Flavours
This is just fabulous, comforting warming food, but with a note of sunshine and freshness from the lemon. One for the meal plan this week!
Veena Azmanov
This looks incredible and I just want to dive right in. Lemon and garlic are my absolute favorite to add when making chicken. This sounds so good.
Denise
Oh my goodness that looks like it's packed with flavor! I love one pot dinners and I know my family ... especially my hubby.... would love this. I'm going try this one the weekend. Great post!
Jolina
This looks super tasty! We love using lemon in savoury dishes. And wow, 47 (I guess going on 48 now) years? That is awesome 🙂
Gloria
I love "one pan" meals any night of the week. Perfect for busy weeknights....and busy weekends. It is almost November, and the weekends are getting booked up already. All the holiday madness will be starting....as soon as Halloween is done. This is great for ALL the busy days.
Sarah Walker Caron (Sarah's Cucina Bella)
First, happy anniversary! 47 years is wonderful! As for this chicken, it looks amazing. The browning on those lemons ... mmmmm!
Marisa Franca
Thank you, Sarah! The chicken is delicious! We really enjoy the tasty one-pan meal.
Molly Kumar
What a delicious looking dish n love how easy it is to make it. We mostly eat chicken and I’m always looking for more recipes to try.
Marisa Franca
Hi, Molly! I know you'll enjoy the chicken. Our family loves it.
swathi
Happy anniversary,one pan chicken bake sounds great for a busy dinner and lunch helper, Charred lemon and garlic brings out more flavor that it self make chicken so tasty.
Sandhya Ramakrishnan
Happy 47th Anniversary Marisa! Improving photography skills is a never ending project and I love your nature captures. One pot meals are the best for weeknight (or weekend) dinners and this looks perfect!
Deepika
First of all A Very Happy Anniversary. 🙂 And the chicken recipe is absolutely divine. I am always on a lookout for one pot meals and this is perfect for busy weekdays or lazy weekends.
Catherine
Dear Marisa, Congratulations and Happy Anniversary! What a beautiful blessing!
This chicken bake looks absolutely delicious...I know my family would just love this. xo, Catherine
Noel Lizotte
1. Congrats on the anniversary! Wow 47 years! That's something to be proud of!
2. Love the non food photos!
3. Can't wait to dig into this one pot dinner! It's everything I love
Gloria @ Homemade & Yummy
FIRST....congrats on the wedding anniversary!! We had our 40th in October. Our daughter is into "nature" photography. She actually took a picture yesterday of a swan with ice on it's beak....since it is so freaking cold here. Your dish looks fantastic and perfect comfort food for this weather. Stay warm in Florida!!
Helene
Yes please I would like this for dinner later today! Such a hearty and flavorful dish, perfect for the whole family. Most probably I would serve it with aromatic rice and a little salad. 🙂
Adriana
This disk looks amazing those lemons look perfectly roasted give so much flavor now I am hungry!
Veena Azmanov
I love one pot meals. Happy 47th Anniversary Marisa. I make lemon and garlic in my chicken and you just made it more Italian. Sounds yum.
Joanna @ Everyday Made Fresh
I love one pan meals so much! They make clean up so much easier. Lemon and garlic sound amazing together!!
Kelli Shallal
Kelli@hungryhobby
First, Happy Anniversary, second I totally get the practicing with the camera, just takes time and lots of pics!
I'm all about one pan meals and this looks fantastic. The fennel bulb caught my eye as I haven't cooked with that much. Going to have to try this one!
Marisa Franca
Hi, Kelli! Thank you for the anniversary wish. I know practice is what it takes and I needed a class to make me do it. And you've got to try fennel. It is such a great veggie. It imparts a wonderful taste to a dish -- very mild licorice flavor.
Amy
That's awesome that you are doing a photography class! What a great New Year's Resolution! This looks like a delicious meal that my family would love, and I will love it since it's a one pan recipe!
Marisa Franca
Hi, Amy! I really enjoy the challenge of learning about my camera and photography. And I'm getting in the mood for another lemon chicken one-pan meal.
Heather
Happy Anniversary!! I am such a fan of one pan meals and your recipe is the perfect combination of my favorite flavors.. I will be trying this for sure 🙂
Marisa Franca
Thank you, Heather. It is a wonderful dish. I"m sure you'll enjoy it.
ManilaSpoon
I haven't prepared dinner yet but looking at this delicious looking lemon chicken bake, I certainly wish that this is mine!! I just need a plate of rice with this and I'm sold!
Marisa Franca
Yes, it would be good with rice. There is no sense wasting that delicious sauce.
Renz
Hand raised for easy meals and in one pot!! I just love this!! And you did good with the moving object pic
Marisa Franca
Thank you, Renz! We love one-pot too. Tasty and easy clean-up.
Molly Kumar
The lemon chicken looks gorgeous Marisa and it's one of my fav Italian recipe. I can say your husband has been extremely lucky to have a wife who's been cooking such amazing food - Congrats on the 47th Anniversary and Many Many More together - hugs 🙂
Marisa Franca
Hi, Molly! You are so sweet, thank you. Hugs back at you!! ?
Christine McMichael
Your photos are beautiful! Also, I'm ALL about one-pan meals. They're so easy and clean up is a breeze! Trying this recipe very soon!
Marisa Franca
Hi, Christine! Thank you! I really love learning about photography -- I've got a ways to go but it is a fun process. I'm sure you'll like the recipe.
Veena Azmanov
Wow. .Congratulation.. 47 years!! So cool.. I love lemon and garlic in my chicken and always ready for one pot meals.. This is really good.
Marisa Franca
Thank you, Veena! Lemon and garlic is great with chicken -- like they are made for each other. And I do love the clean-up.
Jodi @ Create Kids Club
Congratulations on your anniversary! This dish looks so lovely and delicious. My family would love it!
Marisa Franca
Thank you, Jodi! I hope you make it for your family -- it's easy and delicious.
Priya Srinivasan
A very happy anniversary to you! God bless! Lemon chicken bake looks scrumptious!
Love your pelican click, it is very tough to click moving subjects and the photo looks amazing! 🙂
Marisa Franca
Thank you, Priya! I must admit I really do love taking photographs and I'm learning a lot. The chicken dish is great for a busy mom who wants something simple and easy clean-up.
Adriana Lopez Martn
Such a classic and so good. Lemon is perfect for chicken. I made last Christmas lemon chicken similar to yours and it was a hit =)
Marisa Franca
Hi, Adriana! I've found that most people really love lemon chicken. The flavors blend in so well.
valmg @ From Val's Kitchen
I love one-pan meals, they are so flavorful and easy to make, and less dishes! This dish sounds super flavorful, I bet my hubby would enjoy it.
Marisa Franca
Hello, Val! Yep! I can Hubbies like the dish -- the males in our house love it.
PAM
Happy anniversary! This chicken looks amazing. It can be hard o make chicken really flavorful, but this recipe sounds like it nails it.
Marisa Franca
Hi, PAM! Thank you! The garlic and lemon become part of the chicken. Very yummy!
Amanda
Wow! This looks incredible! This is a perfect meal for the family, or guests. Pinning it now before I forget.
Marisa Franca
Thank you, Amanda! Love that it's quick to make and quick to clean-up.
Julia
Wow - 47 years! Congratulations! This meal looks so good! I love chicken and lemon together and all of it cooked in one pan is always a winner in my book!
Marisa Franca
Thank you, Julia! I do like one-pan meals.
Karen (Back Road Journal)
Those chicken thighs look wonderful…must give your recipe a try.
Marisa Franca
Hi, Karen! An easy recipe and you won't regret making the recipe!
Carol Borchardt
Happy 47th Anniversary!! Wow! This chicken dish looks absolutely divine and has all my favorite flavors!
Marisa Franca
Thank you, Carol! I love one-pan meals. Hope you have a great Sunday!
Eileen
Ooo, those charred lemons look so good.
Marisa Franca
Hi, Eileen! We thought they'd give a great boost in appearance. Love the charred look.
Agness of Run Agness Run
This dish includes one of the healthiest and most delicious ingredients. Great recipe, Marisa.
Marisa Franca
Thank you, Agness! I do hope you try it. Have a great weekend.
Shannon @ Pass Me Some Tasty
This looks so flavorful and perfect for a cozy dinner at home! Can't wait to try it! And Happy Anniversary!
Marisa Franca
Thank you for the anniversary wish, Shannon. And it was a very cozy dinner at home. We rarely go out to eat at night time, we enjoy our evenings at home. 😉
Ciao Chow Linda
Your chicken dinner looks wonderful and a good way to enjoy the abundant citrus fruits right now. I love seeing how you're progressing with your photos, but you already are a good photographer.
Marisa Franca
Thank you, Linda! That is really nice of you to say -- you are an inspiration -- food and photography. Abbracci!
Susie
My kind of dish.....all in one! I just made a similar recipe except used butternut squash with chicken thighs and drumsticks...Your recipe has more ingredients......which adds more flavor......I like your recipe much better and will try in the near future.
Your photos look GREAT! Keep up the good work???
Marisa Franca
Thank you, Susie! Your recipe sounds delicious, too. Love the easy one-pan meals. Learning to improve on my photography is a goal of mine this year. Hugs to all!!
Dominique | Perchance to Cook
Oh my goodness. My mouth is watering looking at these photos right now. This is an Italian dish that I can not wait to try. Thanks for posting it!
Marisa Franca
You're welcome, Dominique! It's a great recipe for a busy family -- it seems we're all like that.
annie@ciaochowbambina
How'd you know I was wishing for a recipe that I can toss together in one pan then let finish in the oven? Lemon chicken is one of my favorite combinations! Happy Anniversary, my friend! <3
Marisa Franca
Thank you, Annie! I know you and your family will like the recipe. You can toss other things that you like in there -- how about some artichokes? Abbracci!
Elizabeth | Ellie & Elizabeth
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!
One dish meal is my kind of jam! Hubby recently told me to cut out so much red meat, so glad to find this today. It's on the menu this week!
Marisa Franca
Hi, Elizabeth. I think hubby will be happy with this one. Very flavorful, easy, and not high in calories. It's a win all around. Let me know how he likes it. Sending hugs!
cheri
Hi Marisa, Happy Anniversary! taking a photography class; good for you. I really need to take one, btw your pictures are lovely.
Love one pan meals, looks like there is tons of flavor.
Marisa Franca
Thank you for the Anniversary wish, Cheri! We are already planning on making the one-pan meal again. Have a wonderful day!
Diane P.
Happy Anniversary you two! And here's hopes for many more! Love the look of this recipe........can't wait to put it o my table!
Marisa Franca
Thank you, Diane! Hope you and Hubby like the chicken. We sure did and are planning on having it again soon. It seems like we eat LOTS of chicken. Abbracci!
Debbie & George
I knew your anniversary was around this time, but couldn't find the date... HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!
This recipe is going to be used this week. Also need to make some more Party Mix 🙂
Marisa Franca
Hi there, dear friends! Thank you for the anniversary wishes. You and George will really like the recipe -- very tasty and low in fat. I'm glad you're making use of the Party Mix recipe. That reminds me I should put it out again for Super Bowl 🙂 Hugs to both of you.
Jovina Coughlin
Happy Anniversary.Love one pot meals and nothing tastes better than chicken and lemon. Looks fantastic. Pass the bread please.
Marisa Franca
Next time I'll send you some, Jovina. I'll be sure to send a scarpetta along with it. My papà never had liquid left on his plate. His bread wiped it clean. 🙂 Have a nice weekend.