Herb & Citrus Chicken

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orange citrus chicken

One of the many things I absolutely adore about spring is the way it enhances the natural flavors of our food. Don’t get me wrong, you can grow herbs all year round, but there’s just something about those outdoor-grown herbs that I can’t help but rave about.

Lately, I’ve been lucky enough to stumble upon some incredible deals on herb seedlings at my local grocery stores. Every time I visit, I find myself picking up a couple here or there, slowly building up my collection.

fresh homegron herbs

At this point, I’ve accumulated a whopping 7 or 8 different herb varieties! Let me break it down for you: I’ve got fragrant rosemary, zesty lemon thyme, aromatic Italian oregano, sweet basil that adds a delightful freshness, and spicy globe basil to bring a bit of a kick.

I must admit, I’m eagerly awaiting a nice, sunny weekend to finally get my garden up and running. Since my gardening space is limited to a cozy balcony, things tend to get a little chaotic. But fear not! Once it looks less like the garden department of Home Depot exploded on my patio, I’ll make sure to snap some pictures and share them with all of you.

ingredients for citrus chicken recipe

Here’s What You’ll Need

  • Chicken: The main protein source and star of the dish.
  • Lemons: Provide tanginess and acidity to the marinade and flavor the dish.
  • Oranges: Add sweetness and citrusy notes to the marinade and enhance the flavors.
  • Garden herbs (rosemary, lemon thyme, oregano, spicy basil): Infuse the chicken with fresh and aromatic flavors.
  • Garlic: Enhances the overall savory taste and adds depth to the marinade.
  • Sugar: Balances the acidity of the citrus and enhances the flavor profile.
  • Spicy paprika: Adds a hint of heat and smokiness to the marinade.
  • Olive oil: Incorporates richness and helps distribute the flavors evenly.
  • Salt and pepper: Seasoning elements to enhance the taste of the chicken.

Let’s Jump Into It!

To start, grab one of those luscious lemons and oranges, and slice them up. Squeeze the juice out of the second lemon and orange, making sure to collect around 1/2 cup of juice from both fruits. Next, slice your onion into rings and set them aside.

sliced lemons and oranges

Time to prepare the flavorful marinade! Begin by finely chopping some garlic and combining it in a small bowl with the orange and lemon juice you just squeezed.

garlic in marinade

Take those beautiful herbs you’ve collected, remove the stems, and give them a good chop. Add the herbs to the bowl, along with some oil, sugar, and paprika. Stir everything together, combining the vibrant citrus juices with the aromatic herbs.

Infuse That Chicken!

Pour the citrus marinade over the chicken, making sure every piece gets coated. Then, pop the chicken into the fridge for about 30 minutes (or however long it takes you to resist the mouthwatering smells) until it’s perfectly chilled and marinated.

chicken in marinade

While the chicken is soaking up all those incredible flavors, let’s prep our baking pan. Lightly spray an 8×8 pan with cooking spray to prevent any sticking. Then, create a bed of citrus slices by lining the bottom of the pan with the lemon and orange slices.

citrus chicken in marinade pre baked

Now, take the marinated chicken and arrange it side-by-side in the pan. Finally, scatter the remaining citrus slices and onion rings on top. Pour the rest of the marinade over the chicken, allowing those flavors to meld together beautifully.

To finish it off, give it a drizzle of olive oil.

baked citrus chicken in marinade

It’s almost time to taste the magic! Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C), then place the pan with the chicken in the oven. Let it cook for 25-30 minutes, or until you see those savory juices bubbling and the chicken is cooked through. The tangy citrus combined with the robust flavors of the fresh herbs will make your taste buds sing. This dish is simply perfect for a warm spring evening, where the refreshing flavors will transport you to culinary paradise.

plated citrus chicken

For an absolutely divine picnic experience, pair this Herb & Citrus Chicken with a side of garlicky potato fries accompanied by a zesty cilantro lime dipping sauce. And to take it up another notch, add some chorizo-stuffed mushrooms to the mix.

Trust me, you won’t be able to resist the mouthwatering combination of flavors.

herb citrus chicken

Herb & Citrus Chicken

The Starving Chef
Tender chicken marinated with a vibrant blend of garden herbs, tangy citrus, and aromatic spices, resulting in a burst of fresh flavors perfect for a delightful meal.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Course Dinner
Cuisine Summer
Servings 4

Ingredients
  

Instructions
 

  • Slice one lemon and one orange into 1/4 inch pieces. Juice the second lemon and orange. Thinly slice the garlic. Wash and chop the fresh herbs.
  • In a small bowl, combine the citrus juices, minced garlic, and chopped herbs. Add the sugar and paprika. Whisk in 2 tablespoons of olive oil to create the marinade.
  • Place the chicken in a dish or ziplock bag and pour the citrus marinade over it. Make sure the chicken is evenly coated. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
  • Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Spray a square pan with cooking oil to prevent sticking. Arrange half of the slices of lemon and orange along the bottom of the pan. Place the marinated chicken breasts in a single layer on top of the citrus slices. Top the chicken with the remaining slices of onion, lemon, and orange. Pour the remaining marinade over the chicken.
  • Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the juices are bubbling and the chicken is tender and fully cooked. Allow the chicken to rest for about 10 minutes before serving. Serve and enjoy!
Keyword chicken, citrus, herbs
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