Lemon Chicken with Croutons

Show: Barefoot ContessaEpisode: French Made Easy

Rated: 5 stars out of 5Rate itRead users' reviews (107)

RECIPE
COMMENTS & REVIEWS(107)

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
Barbara Fredericksburg, VA 01-30-2010
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The BEST Roast Chicken Recipe Ever
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

I have been stuffing my chickens with lemons for a few years now and have loved the flavor but this was far superior. It... is so deceptively simple but sublime! Croutons rather than potatoes or rice. who would have thought it? A perfect company dinner and I may even use it at holiday time. Keeps you out of the kitchen and with the action.Read more
recipe Lemon Chicken with Croutons
Elizabeth Cupertino, CA 01-28-2010
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Most Flavorful Roast Chicken I've Ever Made
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

Made this tonight -- it is, hands down, the most flavorful roast chicken I've ever made. I actually used Meyer lemons and... reduced the amount of salt used in the recipe a bit. Didn't feel like we were missing anything. The color of the skin was a rich brown, and the taste was absolutely amazing. It wasn't dry at all. As I have said before about Ina's recipes, such simple recipes, such depth of flavor! The croutons were a treat, too, and a great way to use up some baguettes I got this week. This and Ina's green bean recipe (also from French Made Easy) made a perfect lighter meal. Read more
recipe Lemon Chicken with Croutons
Gwynne Goldsboro, NC 01-10-2010
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Easy to make, everyone loves it!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

The croutons that accompany this chicken are the best part! The chicken cooks exactly as Ina's recipe notes and it's always a... family favorite. It's comfort food, but elegant enough for guests. We love it left over--great on a salad. Can highly recommend this dish to everyone!Read more
recipe Lemon Chicken with Croutons
Michelle Tucson, AZ 01-10-2010
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A beautiful, Easy Chicken
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

This was a very easy roast chicken. I especially liked the onions in the bottom of the roasting pan to keep the chicken... slightly elevated and I didn't have any problem of smoking or burning which I usually do when I roast chickens. Delicious!Read more
recipe Lemon Chicken with Croutons
kimberly Algonquin, IL 01-09-2010
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A+++++++++++MAZING!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this recipe! There was so much chicken left over for chicken salad and the chicken was tender and delicious.... The onions will burn, but you aren't meant to eat the onions-they just flavor the juices. This was also GREAT for keeping us on our weekly budget-we got alot of bang for the buck. Thanks, Ina for another easy, amazing recipe! I will DEFINITELY make this again next month! Read more
recipe Lemon Chicken with Croutons
Vickie Greensboro, NC 12-29-2009
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What did I do wrong??
Rated: 4 stars out of 5

Delicious chicken, but I had major problems with the butter and/or oil popping out of the roasting pan and creating a... horrible mess in the oven as well as a room full of smoke. I followed the recipe faithfully as far as I can tell, and did not use a rack in the roasting pan. I wonder if my pan was too shallow or if my bottom burner in the oven was too hot, because when I moved the pan to the middle of the oven instead of the bottom rack, I didn't have as much trouble. Loved the chicken, but I've got to figure out the problem.Read more