Chicken in lemon sauce and spices

Chicken in lemon and spice sauce - A delicious and flavorful recipe

Preparation time: 20 minutes
Baking time: 40 minutes
Total time: 1 hour
Servings: 8

Chicken in lemon and spice sauce is a simple yet flavorful recipe that combines the vibrant flavors of lemon with spices and garlic. This recipe is not only delicious but also healthy, making it perfect for a family dinner or a gathering with friends. Let's discover together step by step how to prepare this dish!

A brief history of the recipe

Preparing chicken with lemon sauce has been a popular practice in many culinary cultures due to the versatility of the ingredients and ease of cooking. Lemon, an essential ingredient, adds a fresh and tangy taste that perfectly complements the juicy meat of the chicken. This recipe has evolved over time, with each region adding its own flavors and ingredients, but the essence remains the same: a delicious combination of tastes and textures.

Ingredients

To prepare this delicious recipe, you will need the following ingredients:

- 6 chicken thigh quarters (approximately 1.5 kg)
- ½ kg coarse kitchen salt
- Ground black pepper, to taste

For the sauce:

- 1 cup of lemon juice (approximately 200 ml)
- 8 crushed garlic cloves
- 2 green hot peppers, seeded and deveined
- ½ cup of olive oil
- ½ cup of chopped fresh coriander leaves
- Salt and pepper, to taste

For serving:

- Fresh salad leaves (green salad, arugula, or any preferred type)

Preparation steps

1. Preparing the sauce
Start by preparing the sauce. Clean the green peppers of seeds and veins, then cut them into small pieces. In a large bowl, combine the chopped peppers, lemon juice, crushed garlic, olive oil, fresh coriander, salt, and pepper. Mix all the ingredients well and let the sauce macerate at room temperature for about 20-30 minutes. This will allow the flavors to develop and blend perfectly.

2. Preparing the chicken
Preheat the oven to 200 degrees Celsius. On a large baking tray, sprinkle the coarse salt over the entire surface. Lightly salt and pepper the chicken quarters, then place them on the salt-covered tray. This trick will help achieve a crispy and flavorful skin, giving the chicken a special touch.

3. Baking the chicken
Place the tray in the preheated oven and bake for 40 minutes or until the chicken is golden and crispy. It is important to check if the chicken is well cooked inside – the meat should be juicy and not pink. An internal temperature of 75 degrees Celsius is ideal for cooked chicken.

4. Finishing the dish
Once the chicken is ready, remove the tray from the oven and let it rest for 10 minutes. This step is essential as it allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in a juicier chicken.

5. Serving
On a serving platter, place the salad leaves. Put the chicken quarters on the salad, then generously pour the lemon and spice sauce over the meat. This combination of roasted chicken on salt, fresh salad, and tangy sauce is simply delicious!

Useful tips

- Choosing the chicken: Opt for chicken thighs with skin, as they become juicier and crispier during baking. If you prefer leaner meat, you can use chicken breast, but the cooking time will be shorter.
- Spicy variant: If you want a spicier taste, add a few hot peppers to the sauce or even a little chili sauce.
- Vegetarian option: This recipe can also be adapted to include roasted vegetables such as zucchini, eggplant, or mushrooms, which can be cooked in the same way with the lemon sauce.

Frequently asked questions

- Can I use another type of meat?
Yes, the recipe works well with pork or lamb. The cooking time may vary depending on the type of meat chosen.

- How can I store leftover chicken?
Cooked chicken can be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 3 days. You can reheat it in the oven to restore its crispy texture.

- What side dish goes well with it?
Alongside this delicious chicken, you can serve a side of rice, mashed potatoes, or steamed vegetables for a balanced meal.

Nutritional benefits

Chicken is an excellent source of protein, essential for tissue development and repair. Garlic, besides adding flavor, has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Lemon is rich in vitamin C, which supports the immune system.

Personal note

This chicken in lemon and spice sauce recipe reminds me of family meals when we would all gather around the table, laughing and sharing stories. I encourage you to try it and adapt it to your tastes, perhaps even adding a personal touch with your favorite spices. Every meal cooked with love is an opportunity to create memories.

Enjoy this delicious chicken and don't forget to share your culinary experience with your loved ones! Bon appétit!

 Ingredients: 8 servings of chicken thighs, 1/2 kg of coarse cooking salt, ground black pepper. For the sauce: 1 glass of lemon juice, 8 crushed garlic cloves, 2 hot green peppers, 1/2 glass of olive oil, 1/2 glass of fresh coriander leaves, salt, pepper. For serving: lettuce leaves.