A crowd favorite recipe, for those who have tasted it as well as made it, this Mediterranean Spiced Lemon Roasted Chicken is a staple recipe every kitchen needs in its recipe box.
This has become my go-to chicken recipe, especially for a crowd while entertaining. It does not take a whole lot of time to make, can be made/ marinated ahead and you just need to pop it into the oven once your guests arrive. It is pretty flavorful and all the liquid from the lemon makes the chicken really moist. I also make it for a Sunday lunch, especially if I have not made anything meat-y for my meat-a-holic. It does not need any extra dish washing. Just the one casserole you bake it in! It is also a fan favorite – anyone who has had it at parties have gone back and made it and loved it!! I can go on and on about why you should make it. Why don’t you just go ahead and make it and see for yourself! 
I got the Greek Mediterranean Seasoning from Cost Plus World Market and the Harissa from World Spice Merchants here in Seattle. You can order it online too from their website.
Mediterranean Spiced Lemon Roasted Chicken – The Recipe
Ingredients:
Chicken, breasts or thighs, or legs - bone in or otherwise, anything works - 1 ½ lbs
Olive Oil - a generous ¼ cup
Salt - to taste
Crushed black pepper - to taste
Garlic Powder - ½ tsp
Harissa (I bought mine from World Spice) - 1 tsp
World Market's Greek Mediterranean Seasoning - 2 tsp
Paprika - ½ tsp
Lemon - 2, sliced into rounds
Method:
Arrange the chicken in a baking pan / casserole. If using bigger pieces of chicken, make small cuts on several areas on the surface, in order for the marinade to absorb well.
Add the oil, salt, pepper, harissa, mediterranean seasoning and paprika and rub well into the chicken.
Arrange the lemon slices, filling the gaps in the casserole and place a few under the chicken pieces too.
Preheat oven to 375F.
Cover casserole with foil and place in the oven. Let cook this way for 15 mins or so.
Remove foil and place it back in the oven. Bake till chicken is done all the way through. A thermometer should read 165F when placed into the chicken, near the bones, if you are using bone-in chicken pieces.
Remove from oven. Let rest for 5 mins or so. Serve hot.
- Chicken, breasts or thighs, or legs - bone in or otherwise, anything works - 1 ½ lbs
- Olive Oil - a generous ¼ cup
- Salt - to taste
- Crushed black pepper - to taste
- Garlic Powder - ½ tsp
- Harissa (I bought mine from World Spice) - 1 tsp
- World Market's Greek Mediterranean Seasoning - 2 tsp
- Paprika - ½ tsp
- Lemon - 2, sliced into rounds
- Arrange the chicken in a baking pan / casserole. If using bigger pieces of chicken, make small cuts on several areas on the surface, in order for the marinade to absorb well.
- Add the oil, salt, pepper, harissa, mediterranean seasoning and paprika and rub well into the chicken.
- Arrange the lemon slices, filling the gaps in the casserole and place a few under the chicken pieces too.
- Preheat oven to 375F.
- Cover casserole with foil and place in the oven. Let cook this way for 15 mins or so.
- Remove foil and place it back in the oven. Bake till chicken is done all the way through. A thermometer should read 165F when placed into the chicken, near the bones, if you are using bone-in chicken pieces.
- Remove from oven. Let rest for 5 mins or so. Serve hot.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Brian Jones says
What a wonderful collection of ingredients, I love harissa, such a vibrant addition to chicken.
Elizabeth says
Mmm my mouth is watering looking at these images! Love these flavours!
Sara | Belly Rumbles says
Oh yum. And lemons are in season here right now. Seasonal produce for the win.
Revathi Palani says
Looks so yummy and mouthwatering. The pics are so gorgeous that I am drooling all over 🙂
Kate @ VeggieDesserts says
OOoooh, I bet the harissa and the paprika make this phenomenal.
Jamie says
Looks like such a delicious recipe! And I love that it can be made ready ahead of time-- that's so helpful!
linda spiker says
Chicken and lemon are a favorite combination!
Healing Tomato says
Simply amazing! The chickpeas work so well in this recipe.
Lalaine says
That's a great looking chicken dish! I can just imagine the wonderful flavor and aroma from the lemon and spices. Thanks for sharing 🙂