This is the food of my people.
Who are my people? Anyone who enjoys food. I suppose I could stop there but I’ll go a little further to give you a clearer sense of where we’re headed today…
Who are my people? Anyone who enjoys the flavors of Italy. Anyone who will happily drive around the block a few times waiting for the parking spot that sits closest to the tiny joint that serves up the best Italian comfort food in town. Anyone who longs for the smell of minced garlic and fresh basil or the sounds of pots bubbling and crusty bread crunching…these are my people.
I took a short hiatus from the blog last week. With the final touches of our renovation occurring in the rooms where I normally work, I decided to use this opportunity to let the blog breathe, to utilize other forms of social media and to actually go back and read posts I have long forgotten.
I reflected on my beloved Ciao Chow Bambina.
And with this, something struck me. I fear CCB has moved away just a little from the stuff that ignited my desire to start this blog in the first place. The stuff that if I had known as a child would be so important to me as an adult, I would have done differently. Growing up, I watched my mom and grandmothers from a short distance – never really getting my hands dirty, but always enjoying the fruits of their labor. Regret? Yes. I couldn’t possibly have known then that their artistry in the kitchen was one of the most important tracks they would lay for me.
So my blog – originally born from wanting to create and re-create dishes from my Italian heritage will once again take more center stage…Italian recipes that will keep alive the flavors and memories that I am so passionate about. Yes, dishes with a slant toward Calabrian cooking, along with jewels from my childhood and my children’s childhood, like this Roasted Chicken Breast with Meyer Lemon, for example.
My dad’s mom, Gram, made a mean roasted Italian chicken with a side of Italian potatoes that still haunt me to this day. Perfectly crisp, perfectly tender with just the right amount of herbaciousness. Gosh, Gram also fried a mean pork chop and knew her way around a cube steak like nobody’s business. There was something spectacular that happened in her kitchen that always caused us butterflies the moment we pulled into her driveway. We knew that just beyond her tiny flower garden adorned with deep purple and red petunias and through her front door, we’d be treated to her style of comfort and hospitality in all its splendor. She even designated a drawer in her kitchen for Juicy Fruit gum. Treats at every turn.
I’m starting with her roasted chicken because – well – because. How’s that? Sometimes there are no words, we just have to trust.
Swimming in lovely lemon, garlic and Italian herb marinade, let the chicken rest overnight in the refrigerator. By doing so we’re guaranteed juicy moist flavor-infused meat with every bite. Once ready, crank the oven to scorching hot and let the chicken do its thing while slicing some Meyer lemons for squeezing as soon as it comes out.
I’m not sure Gram used Meyer lemons in her cooking but the juice of this special lemon with its notes of orange, along with a generous crank of sea salt and black pepper are enough to transport me to the bright and savory meal she prepared for her family. I am nine again, sitting at Gram’s tiny island in her kitchen, savoring the tastes and aromas of her Italy.
I hope you will, too!
Buon Appetito!
Print
Roasted Chicken Breast with Meyer Lemon
- Category: Dinner
Ingredients
- 1 cup olive oil
- 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
- 2 heaping Tbsp. minced garlic
- 2 Tbsp. Italian seasoning
- 2 tsp. kosher salt
- 1 tsp. black pepper
- 5 lbs. bone-in, skin-on chicken breast
- 2 –3 Meyer lemons cut into wedges
- Salt and cracked black pepper to taste
Instructions
- To create the marinade, in a medium bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper.
- Place chicken in a gallon sized zip-lock bag and add marinade to the bag.
- Close and shake, making sure all chicken pieces are sufficiently covered in marinade.
- Place in refrigerator for as little as two hours or overnight.
- When ready, heat oven to 450 degrees.
- Roast chicken for 45 minutes to 1 hour, until meat thermometer measures 165 degrees F.
- Meat will be juicy and the skin browned and caramelized.
- Squeeze lemons over chicken as it comes out of the oven.
- Salt and pepper generously.
- Serve.
Ciao!
I’m so wishing I had this for dinner tonight, Annie! That crispy skin is gorgeous!
Awh! Thank you, Danielle!
The smell of garlic + crusty bread sounds pretty perfect. As does this roast chicken! Sometimes a simple but flavorful roast chicken is all I want but it’s so hard to make or order exactly what I have in mind. But this version sounds pretty amazing!
It’s pret-ty good, my friend! I think you’ll like it!
Look at that crispy skin! Gorgeous!
Yes, crispy skin! Nothin’ better! 🙂
omg tonight I was thinking of making some kind of chicken dinner and this sounds perfect!!
Fabulous! Enjoy, my friend! 🙂
Wow! Roasted chicken looks so delicious. And sounds fun to make!
Why thank you, Anu! 🙂
This is so fun!! Love that you’re embracing your roots and sharing such lovely recipes!! This looks SO good!! 🙂
Thanks so much, Cailee!
Chicken and lemon is one of my favorite combination!! I could make a batch and eat this chicken all week long. I’m very glad that you are going to post more Italian recipes. Pinning!
Classic for a reason! You know, I did that very thing…made 5 lbs. and have been munching all week! So happy you want to see more Italian! Brava, my friend! 🙂
This looks amazing!! I love anything with Meyer lemon, and I love the idea of roasting chicken breasts! They are probably so tender and juicy :).
So tender and juicy!! It’s a keeper! Thanks, dear!
Lemon roasted chicken is one of my favourites! This looks delicious, Annie! Perfect to serve at a summer BBQ!
Mmmm, I love that idea! This would be perfect for a summer BBQ! Thanks, lovely!
Annie… I must be one of your people because this looks INCREDIBLE! Wow! Just look at that chicken! It looks perfectly crispy on the outside and so juicy inside! You can’t beat lemon – meyer lemon at that, when paired with roast chicken!
You can’t beat that crisp! I’d like to say it was the best part – but the juicy chicken can definitely stand on its own! And the splash of lemon? Fuggedaboudit! 🙂
This dish is definitely perfect for me! Love Italian flavors! And also enjoyed reading the post! Will be making this, pinned!
Thanks so much, Mira! Classic flavors all the way! Enjoy! 🙂
WE ARE, WITHOUT QUESTION,”YOUR PEOPLE”!!
This looks incredible Annie! Can’t wait to try it!!
YESSSS! Thanks so much, guys!!! Enjoy! 🙂
My brothers will love this, they love chicken. Even though I’m a vegetarian, I think I will try to make this for them when they visit me end of this month! 🙂
Gosh that makes me happy! I hope your brothers enjoy it as much as I do!! Thank you, dear! 🙂
Such a beautifully written post, Annie! I would happily drive around just to get a taste of this spectacular looking roasted chicken! It’s perfect! Love the Meyer lemon and I can’t wait to see more dishes from your heritage.
I’m very excited to take my knowledge of Italian cooking to the next level! Thanks, my friend!
Ummm, this chicken has my mouth watering like crazy!! I LUV that you are going back to your Italian roots!! Though I’m not Italian myself, Italian is one of my favorite culinary styles, I can’t wait to see what you have in store for us next!! 🙂
Thank you so much, Renee! And now you’ve got my mouth watering at the mere mention! So glad we had left-overs! 🙂
This roasted chicken looks amazing, Annie! The skin is my favorite part, love the flavor! And meyer lemons are the best!
Thanks, Gayle! I hear you…I love the skin, too! But I must say – the meat is so juicy and delicious when it has the chance to marinate overnight! It’s a win-win! 🙂
I’m so your people! I would happily drive around the block several times for this chicken! I love the sincerity here, Annie. Sometimes you just need to take a break, step back, and reflect to find your balance. I look forward to what comes next from you and thank goodness the home renovations are finished!
Hahha! I knew that about you! Thank you, dear! The kitchen reno came at the perfect time…I guess I was in the mood to spring clean everything! 🙂
I am definately “one of your people” 🙂 I love that you are going back to your roots and can’t wait to see what you share here on your blog! I adore the classic flavors you have going on with these roasted chicken breasts. Simply delicious! As always, I’m drooling ♡Cheers!
Oh yes you are! 🙂 We can never go wrong with crispy roasted chicken perfumed with citrus…Thanks so much, dearest!
This roasted chicken looks incredible. I love that you used Meyer lemons; they are my favorite!!
Meyer lemons are very delicious…their bright citrus flavor was a nice complement to the savoriness of the chicken. Thank you, Jen!
Beautiful recipe! Sometimes taking a small break helps refocus and recenter – looking forward to reading more about your cooking heritage 🙂
Thank you, April. It’s so true that small breaks are so necessary. It was important to step outside for a little bit. This dish is one of my favorites…Italian comfort all the way! 🙂