Lemon Chicken with Croutons

Show: Barefoot ContessaEpisode: French Made Easy

Rated: 5 stars out of 5Rate itRead users' reviews (98)

RECIPE
COMMENTS & REVIEWS(98)

Cook Time:
1 hr 30 min
Level:
Intermediate
Yield:
3 to 4 servings

Times:

Prep: 10 min
Inactive Prep: 15 min
Cook: 1 hr 30 min
Total:: 1 hr 55 min

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Ingredients

1 (4 to 5-pound) roasting chicken
1 large yellow onion, sliced
Good olive oil
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
2 lemons, quartered
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
6 cups (3/4-inch) bread cubes (1 baguette or round boule)
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.

Directions

Take the giblets out of the chicken and wash it inside and out. Remove any excess fat and leftover pinfeathers. Toss the onion with a little olive oil in a small roasting pan. Place the chicken on top and sprinkle the inside of the cavity with salt and pepper. Place the lemons inside the chicken. Pat the outside of the chicken dry with paper towels, brush it with the melted butter, and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Tie the legs together with kitchen string and tuck the wing tips under the body of the chicken.

Roast for 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 hours, or until the juices run clear when you cut between the leg and the thigh. Cover with foil and allow to sit at room temperature for 15 minutes. (The onions may burn, but the flavor is good.)

Meanwhile, heat a large saute pan with 2 tablespoons of olive oil until very hot. Lower the heat to medium-low and saute the bread cubes, tossing frequently, until nicely browned, 8 to

10 minutes. Add more olive oil, as needed, and sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Place the croutons on a serving platter. Slice the chicken and place it, plus all the pan juices, over the croutons. Sprinkle with salt and serve warm.

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Comments & Reviews

recipe Lemon Chicken with Croutons
Kaitlin Iowa City, IA 11-09-2009
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Un-freaking-believable!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

This was fabulous. The only thing I would even think of changing would be to add more sliced onion, just because I love... onions so much. Make this and you will not regret it!Read more
recipe Lemon Chicken with Croutons
Carly Seattle, WA 10-29-2009
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Delicious! A family favorite!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

My family begs me to make this all the time! It was the first "real" dinner I made when I was first married. The croutons are... easy just make sure to watch them and turn them constantly! Don't let them sit or they'll burn. And keep adding olive oil too! I wish I could give this recipe a 10 star. Is so delicious and an easy meal that everyone will enjoy!Read more
recipe Lemon Chicken with Croutons
Janice Thornton, CO 10-17-2009
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Yummy Chicken!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

I loved the chicken and the onions came out perfect.............I had a bit of an issue with the croutons though. I didn't... enjoy MAKING the croutons and I really didn't think they were all that fantastic with the chicken/juices. Maybe it was just me, but I'm thinking about trying it with the baby potatoes next time by putting the chicken up on a little rack and placing the potatoes underneath it. Then we can decide which way we like the best. I'm still giving this 5 stars because of the chicken and the onions. Delicious......will make again! I used a small oval black enamel roasting pan that the chicken fit into perfectly. I figured this would be better than the typical larger, oblong roasting pan because the juices would be more contained and concentrated for the sake of the onions. I made sure they were all nestled in under the bird securely. They tasted great. I personally don't think this needs rosemary or thyme or anything else, as the subtle taste of lemon comes through quite nicely. As is, it has a nice homey comfort-food taste that anyone can enjoy. However, I just wish I knew how to carve up that breast WHILE KEEPING THE BROWNED SKIN ON like Ina did! Mine ended up "naked", which took away from the presentation. The other pieces kept their skin on and looked nice on the bed of croutons. Read more
recipe Lemon Chicken with Croutons
Heidi Chesterfeild, VA 10-04-2009
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Amazing
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

I was amazed on the ease of preparation as well as the simplicity of the ingredients. My whole family loved it which is... really a first! It reminded me of Paris!!!Read more
recipe Lemon Chicken with Croutons
null null, null 09-16-2009
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I LOVE this recipe.
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

This has become our family's Rosh Hashanah main course. For this occasion I make the croutons out of challah. Sooooooooo... delicious.Read more
recipe Lemon Chicken with Croutons
Lauren Aliso Viejo, CA 09-10-2009
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Recipe Is In my Weekly Rotation! GREAT CHICKEN!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

My family loves this recipe we make it for entertaining too. It's beautiful laid out on a platter. Our friends always go... back for seconds and absolutely love the croutons. My kids love it too. The only thing I do different is put the onions in about 30 to 40 minutes before the chicken is done, then they don't burn and are perfectly roasted. The perfect bite is an onion, juice covered crouton and a piece of moist chicken! YUM! YUM! Read more