Golden broiled whole lemon chicken served on a platter with lemon slices and herbs

Perfectly Broiled Whole Lemon Chicken – Juicy & Zesty!

Name: Perfectly Broiled Whole Lemon Chicken – Juicy & Zesty!
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 50 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 piece Whole chicken (about 1.5 kg/3.3 lbs) - choose a fresh or fully thawed bird with no signs of discoloration or odor; 1 piece Lemon, fresh - pick firm and heavy for its size to get the juiciest flavor; 2 tbsp Olive oil, extra virgin - for best flavor choose a cold-pressed, extra virgin variety; 3 cloves Garlic cloves, minced - fresh garlic provides best aroma; 1.5 tsp Dried thyme - opt for fresh if available, but dried is perfectly fine; 1 tsp Salt - use fine sea salt or kosher salt for easy even seasoning; 0.5 tsp Ground black pepper - freshly ground for best taste

Home Page / Broil Recipes / How to Broil Chicken: Easy and Delicious Recipes

easy

40 min

Nutritional value per serving

Calories950kcal

Carbs5gram

Fat55gram

Protein80gram

Ingredients

Quantity

Whole chicken (about 1.5 kg/3.3 lbs) - choose a fresh or fully thawed bird with no signs of discoloration or odor1 piece
Lemon, fresh - pick firm and heavy for its size to get the juiciest flavor1 piece
Olive oil, extra virgin - for best flavor choose a cold-pressed, extra virgin variety2 tbsp
Garlic cloves, minced - fresh garlic provides best aroma3 cloves
Dried thyme - opt for fresh if available, but dried is perfectly fine1.5 tsp
Salt - use fine sea salt or kosher salt for easy even seasoning1 tsp
Ground black pepper - freshly ground for best taste0.5 tsp

This recipe shows you how to broil a whole chicken with lemon to savory, juicy perfection. Broiling cooks the chicken with high, direct heat giving a tasty, crisp skin and a tender interior. Using lemon and herbs adds vibrant flavor, while broiling is a fast method ideal for weeknights. All ingredients are affordable and common from supermarkets, and the steps are simple enough for beginners. The total ingredient cost is approximately $12 USD, €11 EUR, £9 GBP, and ₹950 INR. The entire dish contains about 950 kcal and fits in a high-protein, balanced diet. Difficulty is easy, with about 10 minutes prep and 40 minutes cooking time, totaling 50 minutes. Food safety is emphasized with recommended internal temperature checks and handling best practices, ensuring a safe, tasty meal.

Preparation instructions

Prepare the chicken and marinade

1Preheat your oven broiler to high (about 260-290°C). Rinse the chicken inside and out under cold water, then pat it completely dry with paper towels to ensure crispy skin. Slice the lemon thinly. In a small bowl, mix olive oil, minced garlic, thyme, salt, and pepper. Rub this mixture evenly all over the chicken including under the skin where possible. Place half the lemon slices inside the cavity of the chicken for extra aroma.

Arrange the chicken for broiling

2Place the chicken breast side up on a broiler pan or oven-safe skillet. Tuck the remaining lemon slices under the wings and around the bird. This will keep the chicken moist and infuse more lemon flavor while broiling.

Broil the chicken first side

3Place the pan about 15-20 cm from the broiler element. Broil for about 20 minutes. Keep an eye on it to avoid burning – if the chicken browns too quickly, move the pan slightly lower or reduce heat slightly. This step gives a golden, crispy skin.

Flip and broil the other side

4Carefully flip the chicken over so it is breast side down. Broil another 15-20 minutes. The total cooking time is around 40 minutes but may vary depending on your oven and the chicken size.

Check internal temperature for safety

5Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature at the thickest part of the thigh without touching bone. The chicken is safe to eat when it reaches at least 75°C (165°F). Insert the thermometer gently to get an accurate reading.

Rest the chicken before serving

6Remove the chicken from the oven and cover loosely with aluminum foil. Let it rest for 10 minutes to allow juices to redistribute, making meat tender and juicy.

Cooking Tips

1Always handle raw poultry carefully. Wash hands, utensils, and surfaces thoroughly after contact to avoid cross-contamination.

2If you don’t have a meat thermometer, pierce the thigh and check juices run clear, not pink, but a thermometer is safest.

3For an extra flavor twist, add fresh rosemary or garlic cloves inside the cavity.

4Use the pan drippings to make a quick pan sauce or gravy for serving.

5If lemon slices char too fast, cover loosely with foil halfway through broiling.

Equipment Needed

Broiler pan or oven-safe skillet
Meat thermometer (recommended)
Sharp knife
Cutting board
Bowl for marinade
Tongs or spatula for flipping
Aluminum foil

Shopping List

[ ] Whole chicken (~1.5 kg): Approx. $8. Choose fresh or fully thawed, no bad odor or discoloration.
[ ] Lemon (1 piece): Approx. $0.50. Pick firm and heavy to ensure juiciness.
[ ] Olive oil, extra virgin (2 tbsp): Approx. $0.50 from bottle. Choose cold-pressed for best flavor.
[ ] Garlic cloves (3 cloves): Approx. $0.25. Fresh, firm cloves without spots.
[ ] Dried thyme (1.5 tsp): Approx. $0.10. Fresh herbs optional.
[ ] Salt (1 tsp): Minimal cost; use fine sea salt/kosher salt.
[ ] Ground black pepper (0.5 tsp): Approx. $0.05. Freshly ground preferred.

Total estimated cost: $9.40

FAQ

How do I know when the chicken is fully cooked and safe to eat?

Use a meat thermometer and check the thickest part of the thigh. The safe internal temperature for chicken is at least 75°C (165°F). The juice should run clear.