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This Roast Chicken with Caramelized Lemons, Cherry Tomatoes and Olives has quickly become one of my trusted, tried and true dinner entrees for a plethora of reasons. It’s super simple (hello only 5 ingredients and only one pan) and incredibly delicious. This is one of the best Roast Chicken recipes you’ll try this week!
All I can say is, thank goodness for family favorites. You know, the dishes you can count on to delight your crew even if you wind up making it several times in a week.
Whenever I make this roasted chicken recipe, my whole family fights tooth and nail for every last little cherry tomato and olive, whose flavors get insanely rich from all the caramelizing in the sauté pan. Who “got more tomatoes and olives” has become such an issue in my house that I’ve started adding an extra handful of each beyond what the recipe calls for — which is actually great because I’ve found that the more you add the better this dish gets!
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If you think this recipe is tasty right out of the oven, just wait until you try it on day two. You will start hoping there’s enough for leftovers every time you make it, as the flavors come together even more and the chicken stays moist and juicy under the skin. Mentioning the skin, I had no idea how much my kids adored crispy skin until I made this dish for the first time. I usually try to avoid eating skin and remove it because it’s not the healthiest, but let’s be honest, it’s pretty much the best part.
Also, to put it simply… The taste of caramelized lemons….are you kidding me??!!
If these aren’t reasons enough to convince you to make this Roast Chicken with Caramelized Lemons, Cherry Tomatoes and Olives than just the blessing of only having to clean up one pan after dinner, instead an entire sinkful of them, which will only add to the post-meal smile that will be on your face.
I beg you to make this one. It’s seriously worth the un-effort!
Roast Chicken with Caramelized Lemons, Cherry Tomatoes and Olives
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon vegetable or canola oil
- 4 chicken breasts, bone in and skin on
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 lemon, cut in half
- 1/2 cup pitted black olives
- 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes
- handful of thyme (about 8-10 stems)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 450°F.
- Heat the oil in an oven-proof skillet over medium-high heat.
- Pat the chicken breasts dry, make sure they are very dry, and sprinkle the top with the salt.
- Place the chicken breasts, skin side down, in the heated oil and sear for 5 minutes, or until skin is crisp and golden brown.
- Flip the chicken over. Add the lemon, olives, tomatoes and thyme to the skillet and transfer to the oven.
- Roast for 25 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through.
Notes
- The chicken breasts I used were 3/4 pound each.
Thanks for sharing one of your tried-and-true recipes! Adding tomatoes, olives and lemon dressed up the weekly roast chicken (I use chicken quarters). I seasoned the chicken with lemon pepper and salt, then followed the recipe as stated. The tomatoes, lemon and olives made such a rich gravy. Even my picky eater son ate every last bite! Love, love, love!!
Oh. My. Goodness. This is fabulous!
You could follow the directions for the Perfect Roast Chicken and just add the lemons, tomatoes and olives to the pan! http://b12.ba4.myftpupload.com/2012/03/19/perfect-roast-chicken/
what would you do different if using a whole chicken?
This is absolutely delicious. Even my very picky 2 year old ate it. Thank you!
it’s always good when i find a blog that teachs and inpires me so much! Thank you!
The lemons caramelize while they’re roasting in the oven with everything else!
How do you make carmelized lemons?
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I used a 9-inch skillet!
How big is the pan you used? I am not sure I can fit all four breasts in my stainless steel pan.
Ok, you had me at caramelized lemons! I can’t wait to make this for my family.
-Dana
I would use 1/2 – 1 teaspoon of dried thyme since it is much more potent! Maybe sprinkle it over everything just before putting it in the oven.
Would dried thyme work well? If so, how much would you suggest?
Great recipe–the colors in this dish are just beautiful.
Great recipe!!! I have organic chicken legs on my grocery list. They are $1.99/lb @ Trader Joes so I think this would be nice for this dish.