Quinndulgences

ENGAGEMENT CHICKEN (aka TWO-LEMON CHICKEN)

The theory behind this dish is as fantastic and simple as the recipe itself: make this chicken for guests, and soon they will pop the question. I also learned that it’s a great dish to bond over with new friends, as nothing brings people together quite like picking apart a whole chicken. (For example, the only remainder of the dish was the above wishbone…)

This meat is so tender that the bird essentially jumps out of its bones. As a tip, make sure that you use small and juicy lemons, so that they fit inside of the chicken and provide plenty of flavor. Also, collect the cooking juices and pour them over slices of the meat. Thanks to Lela for introducing me to this recipe!

Ingredients:

• 1 3- to 5-pound whole chicken
• 2 small lemons
• salt and black pepper

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Roll the lemons to make them juicy, and poke many holes through the rind using a fork.
2. Remove the giblets and thoroughly wash the bird with cold water. Dry it with a paper towel, and rub above and under the skin with salt and pepper. Stuff the lemons into the cavity, and seal it up with some cooking twine a few toothpicks.
3. Place the chicken into a baking pan, breast-side-down. Turn the oven temperature down to 350 degrees, and place the chicken on the middle rack. Cook for 20-30 minutes*, and then flip breast-side-up and cook for another 20-30 minutes*. Turn the heat up to 375 degrees and cook for an additional 20-30 minutes*.
4. Remove the chicken from the oven, and let the meat rest for a few minutes before carving. The juices that pool in the pan are very flavorful and make a great sauce for individual slices. Depending on the size of the bird and how hungry your guests are, this will serve between 3 and 5 people.