There’s nothing like the bright, citrusy flavor of lemon to add a punch of flavor and a sense of freshness to dishes. And when it comes to chicken, lemon is a match made in culinary heaven. The recipe I’m about to share with you is one of my personal favorites – Lemon Chicken. This dish has a rich history, with various versions found in cuisines around the world, from Italian to Chinese, each with their unique twist. But the recipe I love is simple, unpretentious, and deliciously satisfying. The secret to this dish’s success lies in its simplicity. The ingredients are basic – chicken, lemons, butter, and oregano – but when they come together, they create a symphony of flavors that’s hard to resist. The sourness of the lemons, the richness of the butter, and the earthiness of the oregano – it all works together to make this dish a delight for the taste buds. Plus, it’s super easy to make, which is always a bonus in my book. I love this recipe because it’s a reminder that sometimes, the simplest things can bring the most pleasure. So, are you ready to delve into the world of Lemon Chicken? Let’s get started!
Ingredients
- 1 whole chicken, cut up
- 3 large lemons
- 1 stick butter
- oregano
Baking Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°.
- Cut up chicken and place in a pan. Melt butter and squeeze fresh lemon juice into butter.
- Baste chicken.
- Sprinkle with oregano and bake at 400° for 1 hour.
Calorie: 600
Total cooking time: 1 hour
Difficulty level: Easy
The Epic Quest of Lemon Chicken Creation
Once upon a Sunday afternoon, I was seized by the inexplicable urge to recreate my grandma’s Lemon Chicken. The sun was shining, the birds were singing, and my stomach was growling – it was high time for some culinary shenanigans.
Act 1: Gathering the Mighty Ingredients
The first step to any good recipe is, of course, the ingredients. And in this case, four humble stars of the show: 1 whole chicken, 3 large lemons, 1 stick butter, and oregano. Nothing fancy, but by the end, they’d be transformed into something beautiful. Well, hopefully.
Act 2: The Chicken Prep Debacle
Preheating the oven to 400° was the easy part. Cutting up the chicken was where things got dicey. The last time I attempted this, the chicken looked like it had been mauled by a bear. But this time, I was prepared. I donned my best apron, sharpened my knife, and got down to business. After a few minutes of wrestling, the chicken was in pieces and I was still in one piece. Success!
Act 3: Butter and Lemons Unite
Next came the butter and lemons. Melt the butter, squeeze the lemon juice into it, easy peasy. Except, I’ve never been great at estimating. How much juice does a large lemon have? Is it possible to squeeze a lemon too hard? Well, I discovered that yes, it is. Lemon juice in the eye is not a pleasant experience, folks. But at least the chicken was getting a good baste.
Act 4: Oregano Sprinkling and the Great Bake Off
Then, the oregano. Just a sprinkle, the recipe said. But what is a sprinkle, quantitatively speaking? A dash? A pinch? A smidge? In the end, I went with ‘enough to make it look like it snowed green on the chicken’.
Finally, into the oven it went. 400° for 1 hour. That was enough time to clean up the mess I’d made, and ice my lemon-juice-in-the-eye, and still have time to ponder the big questions in life. Like, why does melted butter smell so good? And how many oregano sprinkles are in a teaspoon?
The Finale: The Moment of Truth
When the timer finally dinged, I was ready. Oven mitts on, anticipation high, I pulled the pan from the oven. It was… well, it was a sight to behold. The chicken was golden brown, the lemon-butter sauce was bubbling, and the oregano? Well, the oregano was still green.
My taste buds were jumping with joy as I took the first bite. The chicken was tangy and savory, with just a hint of oregano. It was almost as good as grandma’s. Almost. But you know what? I’d call this a successful quest. After all, any day you can avoid a trip to the ER while cooking is a good day in my book.
So there you have it, folks. My journey to Lemon Chicken, complete with laughter, tears (thanks, lemon juice), and a whole lot of oregano. Remember, cooking is not about perfection, it’s about having fun. And maybe, just maybe, ending up with something edible at the end. Happy cooking!
