Crispy Parmesan Roast Chicken With Lemon
Sprinkling grated Parmesan over a whole chicken as it roasts yields extra-crisp, extra-savory skin in this recipe, while chopped fresh rosemary and lemon zest perfume the meat through and through. Be sure to serve this with the lemony pan drippings, which make a bright, rich sauce for the tender meat. Heat lovers should feel free to add plenty of red-pepper flakes to the drippings — or serve red pepper on the side for individual spicing.
- Total:
- Serves: 4 persons
Ingredients
- 1small lemon
- 2teaspoons kosher salt, plus more to taste
- 1teaspoon black pepper
- 1teaspoon chopped rosemary, plus 4 sprigs
- Large pinch of red-pepper flakes, plus more for serving (optional)
- 1(3 1/2- to 4-pound) whole chicken, patted dry
- Extra-virgin olive oil, for drizzling
- ⅓cup finely grated Parmesan
Instructions
Step 1
Finely grate 1 teaspoon zest from the lemon and place it in a small bowl. (Save the zested lemon for the drippings.) Stir in 2 teaspoons salt, pepper, chopped rosemary and red-pepper flakes, if using. Season the chicken inside and out with salt mixture. Let sit at room temperature for 20 minutes or refrigerate uncovered for up to overnight.Step 2
Heat oven to 425 degrees. Place chicken, breast-side up, in a large skillet, sheet pan or roasting pan. Stuff cavity of chicken with rosemary sprigs. Drizzle breast with a little olive oil.Step 3
Roast chicken for 30 minutes. Sprinkle chicken all over with Parmesan, then continue roasting until bird’s juices run clear when skin is pierced with a knife and the skin is golden, 25 to 30 minutes longer.Step 4
Let chicken rest for 10 minutes. Squeeze juice from the zested lemon, to taste, into the pan drippings and season with more salt and red-pepper flakes if you like. Carve and serve with drippings spooned over the meat.