Roasted Rosemary Lemon Chicken Breasts

Step 1

Put the chicken breasts on a small rimmed baking sheet such as a 13 x 9 inch quarter sheet pan Drizzle with some olive oil. Turn the chicken over to coat on both sides with the oil.

Step 2

Season the chicken on both sides with the salt. Let the chicken sit at room temperature 15 minutes, skin-side up. Strip the rosemary leaves from their branches and chop fine. Scatter the rosemary over the top of the breasts and rub into the skin. Arrange the lemon halves flesh side down around the chicken.

Step 3

Meanwhile, heat the oven to 425 (220 C) degrees.

Step 4

Roast chicken 12 minutes, then baste with some of the pan juices. Crank up the oven temperature to 475 degrees and roast and additional 15 minutes, or until the skin is golden brown and the pan juices are bubbling and dark brown. If your breasts are larger than 6 ounces they might need a few minutes more. Don’t overcook! (please).

Step 5

Let the chicken rest about 5 minutes. Transfer to a serving plate and squeeze the roasted lemons over the chicken (one half per breast). Add a teaspoon of water to the baking sheet if necessary and scrape up the pan juices. Pour over the chicken and serve.