Lemon roast chicken recipe

Love roast dinners? Why not try our simple lemon chicken, just pour lemon juice over chicken and roast for 2 hours with onions, leeks and fennel. So easy and simple to make.

Ingredients

• 1.75kg (3¾lb) chicken
• 2 lemons
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1 large onion, peeled and finely sliced
• 1 head of fennel, trimmed and finely sliced
• 1 large leek, trimmed and sliced
• 6 sprigs of thyme or basil

Method

1. Set the oven to 190°C/375°F/Gas Mark 5. Use a peeler to take the skin off the lemons and cut half of the shavings into thin strips. Juice the lemons.
2. Heat the oil in a frying pan over a medium heat, season the chicken and brown it all over. Set it aside on a plate.
3. Add the onion to the pan and cook for 5 mins, then add the fennel and leek and cook for another 5 mins. Put the vegetables into a casserole or roasting tin, add the thyme or basil sprigs. Place the chicken on top, pour over the juice from the 2 lemons and sprinkle with the lemon strips and shavings.
4. Pour in 300ml (½ pint) hot water, cover with lid or foil, and cook for 1½ hours. Take off the foil and continue cooking for 30-40 mins more or until juices run clear from the thigh when pierced with a skewer, and the vegetables are tender.
5. Leave for 10 mins before serving, straight from the dish, spooning the vegetables and lemony juices over each portion of meat.