Roasted Half-Chicken with Garlic and Lemon

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A perfectly roasted half chicken infused with bright lemon and garlic flavors, tender on the inside with crisp skin. This mediterranean-inspired chicken ready in about 55 minutes pairs half chicken (about 1.5 lbs), garlic cloves, whole lemon for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 2, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 45 min Serves 2 Mediterranean cuisine 450 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 425°F. Pat dry 1 half chicken (about 1.5 lbs) and place in a roasting pan. Zest and juice 1 whole lemon, then rub the zest and 2 tbsp lemon juice evenly over the chicken.
  2. Step 2: Mince 4 garlic cloves and mix with 3 tbsp olive oil, 1 tbsp chopped fresh rosemary, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Rub this mixture all over the chicken, making sure to coat under the skin.
  3. Step 3: Roast the chicken in the oven for 40-45 minutes until the skin is golden and the internal temperature reaches 165°F, basting once halfway through with pan juices. Let rest 10 minutes before serving.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Roasted Half-Chicken with Garlic and Lemon take to make?

Total time is about 55 minutes (10 min prep + 45 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Roasted Half-Chicken with Garlic and Lemon?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep half chicken (about 1.5 lbs) from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Roasted Half-Chicken with Garlic and Lemon?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Roasted Half-Chicken with Garlic and Lemon for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Roasted Half-Chicken with Garlic and Lemon?

Mediterranean chicken like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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