Honey & Meyer Lemon Roasted Chicken
Posted by Gail | Filed under Gail Cooks!
It was the beginning of February and I’d been on book tour for about a month, which meant I hadn’t had time for any cooking, never mind hanging with my girls. Happily, knowing what a busy schedule I had in store, I’d pre-made a dinner date with The Babes of Brighton and was rubbing my hands together in anticipation of a fabulous meal together. Comfort food! That’s what we all would need.
Winter brings with it the oddest assortment of fruits and veggies. Kumquats, dragon fruit and Meyer lemons are plentiful and less expensive than at other times of the year.
Native to China, Meyer lemons are smooth-skinned and sweeter than other lemons with an aroma that’s slightly floral. It’s actually a cross between a lemon and a sweet orange, which means it’s less acidic. (Even the rind!)
I had a bag in the fridge and a dinner party to cook for, so I got out my imagination and this is what I came up with. I hope you enjoy!
Honey & Meyer Lemon Roasted Chicken
- Whole chicken
- 6 bay leaves
- 1 medium onion chopped
- ½ tsp cardamom
- 2?Meyer lemons (skin on)
- 1/4?cup honey
- 1 tbs olive oil
- 5 garlic cloves crushed
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp freshly ground pepper
- 1/2?cup chicken broth
Cut 6 slices of lemon. This will use 1.5 of the lemons. Remove seeds.
Gently loosen the skin and slide the lemon slices up under, getting one on top of each drumstick and two on each side of the breast. Take your time and be careful, so you don’t tear the skin.
Pour the honey up under the skin gently working it around so all of the breast meat is covered.
Cut up the remaining lemon and combine with bay leaves, onion, cardamom and garlic. Stuff inside the chicken.
Rub the skin (gently!) with olive oil, salt and pepper.
Add the broth to the pan.
Roast the chicken at 350 degrees until it’s done – about an hour and a half – basting every 20 minutes as it cooks.
I served this with roasted root veggies and garlic mashed potatoes. It was spectacular.
March 20, 2013 at 9:01 am
I love almost anything with lemon, so I’ll have to try this recipe!
Thank you!
March 20, 2013 at 12:40 pm
Sounds delicious. My fav roast chicken isn’t quite so fancy but very good …and super easy.
Combine about 1 tbsp butter with about 1 tsp dry mustard, some salt and pepper and rub all over chicken. Stuff the cavity with lemon slices, or thyme or rosemary or garlic (or a combo of them) and roast away as usual. Baste a few times while roasting.
March 20, 2013 at 12:54 pm
Just thought of another lemon/chicken recipe I like
Lemon Feta Chicken
Chicken pieces floured and browned
Place in a casserole dish
Cover each piece of chicken with a slice of lemon
Add about a cup of chicken stock
Crumble feta cheese over – I like a lot but suit to your own taste
bake at 350 for about 1 hour.
I sometimes thicken the liquid to make it more gravy-like
Serve with rice or noodles, fresh salad
March 20, 2013 at 10:30 pm
Ive never heard of Meyer Lemons. Are they readily available in your average grocery?