Baked Lemon Chicken and Potatoes Recipe

This Baked Lemon Chicken and Potatoes Recipe is made with bone-in chicken, garlic, lemons, potatoes and baked to perfection.

Chicken does not have to be boring. This is a great chicken recipe that has the perfect crispy texture and tang to it. It all cooked together in a baking pan, which makes clean up so much easier.

If you love this recipe, feel free to try my Chicken Limone and Chicken in Italian Dressing.

Jump to:

• Why you will love this Healthy Lemon Chicken Recipe
• Can lemon juice dry out chicken?
• Can I leave the chicken in the Lemon Chicken Marinade overnight?
• Lemon Chicken Tray Bake Ingredients
• How to make this Baked Lemon Chicken and Potatoes Recipe
• Substitutions
• Variations
• Equipment
• Storage
• Top tip
• Baked Lemon Chicken and Potatoes Recipe
• Food safety

Why you will love this Healthy Lemon Chicken Recipe

Versatile: Chicken is so versatile which is why I love cooking with it. The combination fo the lemon, garlic, and parsley is to die for.

Full of flavor: The lemon tenderizes the chicken perfectly and gives it so much flavor.

Serves a crowd: It is very easy to double this recipe, which is why I love making this for dinner parties.

Can lemon juice dry out chicken?

Yes, lemon juice can dry out chicken. This is why it is important to only marinate for one hour, and use olive oil in the marinade so it does not oversaturate with lemon juice. The lemon juice will break down the proteins which will make the chicken tough if marinated for too long.

Can I leave the chicken in the Lemon Chicken Marinade overnight?

I would not recommend marinating the chicken overnight, because like I previously said, it will dry out the chicken. You can marinate in the fridge max one hour.

Lemon Chicken Tray Bake Ingredients

You'll only need a few simple ingredients to make this. The exact measurements are listed in the recipe card below. Here's an overview of what you'll need:

• Bone-in chicken drumsticks or thighs
• Garlic
• Garlic powder
• Lemons
• Olive oil
• Russet potatoes
• Parsley
• Salt

See recipe card for quantities.

How to make this Baked Lemon Chicken and Potatoes Recipe

Substitutions

• Chicken: I used a combination of bone-in chicken drumsticks and thighs, but you can use either. 
• Olive oil: I used good quality extra virgin olive oil.
• Lemons: For best taste, use squeezed lemon juice from real lemons and not store bought lemon juice. I sliced the lemons and caramelized them on each side.
• Potatoes: I used Yukon gold potatoes but feel free to use russet or baby potatoes instead. Make sure not to cut them in tiny pieces, or the potatoes can overcook.

Variations

Cooking is a chance to be creative! Have fun with it and feel free to make your own variation.

• Spicy - add chili pepper flakes into the marinade for a spicy kick.
• Deluxe - serve with tzatziki sauce.
• Kid friendly - add crushed potato chips (ketchup chips!)

Check out these Lemon Garlic Drumsticks.

Equipment

Equipment can have a big impact on how a recipe turns out. Stone bakeware takes longer to heat up than metal pans, and also retain heat for longer, which could make the recipe more watery, or burnt on the outsides.

I love using my Caraway pots, pans and baking sheets for best quality.

Storage

This will be good in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.

These ingredients can be frozen for up to three months.

Top tip

Make sure to pour the marinade halfway into cooking, or it can burn on the bottom.

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Food safety

• Cook to a minimum temperature of 165 °F (74 °C)
• Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
• Wash hands after touching raw meat
• Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
• Never leave cooking food unattended
• Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
• Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove

See more guidelines at USDA.gov.