Chicken Roasted Over Lemons And Onions Food

CHICKEN ROASTED OVER LEMONS AND ONIONS

Steps:

• Add coriander, cumin, or paprika to the salt, if desired. Pat chicken dry and season the cavity and skin with 1 1/2 teaspoons salt each. Place it on a rimmed baking sheet lined with a rack. Refrigerate, uncovered, at least 12 hours and up to 24 hours.
• Sprinkle the cavity with 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Then pierce whole lemon all over with a fork; put it inside the cavity with 6 thyme sprigs. Rub butter evenly over the skin, season with another 1/4 teaspoon pepper, and tie the legs firmly with twine. On a rimmed baking sheet lined with parchment, overlap lemon and onion slices to create a base slightly larger than the chicken. Set the bird on top of this "rack," which will collect the chicken fat as it drips. Strip the leaves from remaining 3 thyme sprigs and scatter them over the chicken. Let the bird stand at room temperature for 30 minutes, which will help it cook evenly.
• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees. Roast the chicken 20 minutes, then reduce the heat to 350 degrees, rotate the sheet, and continue cooking until a thermometer registers 160 degrees, 25 to 35 minutes. (For the most accurate reading, insert it in two places: the thickest part of the breast, then the thigh, near but not touching the bone.) Let the chicken stand 10 minutes (the temperature will rise to 165 degrees) -- this allows the juices to redistribute, creating tender meat. Serve, with the roasted lemon and onion slices.

FOUR-STEP LEMON-ONION CHICKEN

Steps:

• Season the chicken with the dried thyme, and salt and pepper to taste. Heat a large saute pan over medium heat and add the olive oil. Put the flour in a shallow dish. Working in batches, dredge the chicken in the flour and add to the pan; saute until cooked through, about 3 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate and tent with aluminum foil.
• Add the red onion and fresh thyme to the pan and cook over low heat, stirring occasionally, until aromatic, about 5 minutes.
• Combine the wine, chicken broth and the juice of 1 lemon in a bowl. Turn the heat under the pan to high and deglaze with the broth mixture, scraping up the pan with a wooden spoon. Cook until the liquid starts to reduce, about 10 minutes. Remove from the heat and whisk in 1 1/2 tablespoons butter. Season with salt and pepper.
• Meanwhile, put the spinach in a microwave-safe dish and add 3 tablespoons water; cover loosely with plastic wrap and microwave until hot and wilted, 5 to 6 minutes. Drain and toss with the remaining 1/2 tablespoon butter, the juice of the remaining lemon, and salt and pepper to taste. Arrange on a platter and top with the chicken. Spoon the sauce on top.

LEMON AND ONION ROAST CHICKEN

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
• Remove the giblets. Then, wash the chicken thoroughly with hot water and trim all excess fat. Pat dry with a paper towel.
• Liberally add salt, pepper, and poultry seasoning to the inside.
• Cut the onion and the lemon into wedges and stuff as much as will fit inside the cavity. If you have fresh thyme on hand, also stuff a handful of that inside.
• Separate the skin from the chicken (Don't take the skin off the chicken. Just wiggle your hand under the skin, and it comes apart from the chicken meat. It's really really easy to do). In the space between the skin and the meat, rub on salt, pepper, and about one teaspoon of poultry seasoning. Then, scatter little pieces of butter under the skin, as well. Don't forget to get the area around the thighs, as well with the spices and butter.
• Massage a bit of olive oil on top of the skin, to make it nice and crispy.
• Place on a rack in a roasting pan, tucking the wings behind the neck. if you're not using a rack, then tie its legs together as well.
• Cook in the oven for about an hour an a half or until juices run clear (or until the little popper pops up).

ROASTED ONIONS WITH LEMON

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Drizzle 2 tablespoons olive oil on a rimmed baking sheet. Scatter the rosemary leaves and thyme sprigs on the baking sheet. Season the onions with salt and pepper; arrange on top of the herbs, cut-side down.
• Remove 4 wide strips zest from the lemons using a vegetable peeler; set aside. Cut each lemon in half and remove any seeds; add to the baking sheet cut-side down. Roast until the onions are tender and the skins are slightly charred, about 1 hour.
• Meanwhile, make the vinaigrette: Combine the vegetable oil, vinegar, mustard and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a blender. With the motor running, gradually drizzle in the remaining 6 tablespoons olive oil and 2 tablespoons water until emulsified. Transfer to a small bowl; add the lemon zest and season with salt and pepper. Let steep at least 30 minutes; remove the lemon zest.
• Remove and discard the skins from the onions. Arrange the onions, lemons and herbs on a platter and drizzle with the vinaigrette just before serving. (The roasted onions and vinaigrette can be made up to 4 hours ahead. Serve at room temperature.)