The Best Barefoot Contessa Tuscan Lemon Chicken Recipe Ever

Barefoot Contessa Tuscan Lemon Chicken transforms ordinary poultry into a Mediterranean-inspired culinary adventure.

Bright citrus notes dance with robust herbal undertones, creating a symphony of tantalizing flavors.

Tender meat absorbs the essence of aromatic seasonings, promising a delightful dining experience.

Rustic and elegant, this recipe embodies simple yet sophisticated cooking techniques.

Home cooks adore how quickly such a gourmet dish comes together with minimal preparation.

The combination of zesty ingredients elevates a standard protein into something extraordinary.

Each bite promises a journey through sun-drenched landscapes and traditional cooking wisdom: get ready to fall in love with this sensational dish.

What Makes Barefoot Contessa Tuscan Lemon Chicken So Refreshing

• Burst with Mediterranean Flavors: The combination of lemon zest, rosemary, and olive oil creates an explosion of bright, herbaceous tastes that transport you straight to the Italian countryside with every juicy bite.
• Master Easy Grilling Techniques: This recipe teaches simple yet professional grilling methods like using two-zone heat and weighing down the chicken, which ensures perfectly crispy skin and tender meat without complicated cooking skills.
• Quick Overnight Marinade Magic: Letting the chicken soak in zesty marinade for 4-8 hours infuses deep, rich flavors and tenderizes the meat, making dinner preparation incredibly convenient and deliciously foolproof.
• Elevate Simple Ingredients: Transforming basic chicken into a restaurant-quality dish using just a few pantry staples proves that gourmet cooking can be accessible, affordable, and absolutely mouthwatering for home chefs.

Items Needed for Barefoot Contessa Tuscan Lemon Chicken

• Chicken: Whole chicken flattened to ensure even cooking, preferably a fresh bird with good skin for grilling.

• Olive Oil, Lemon Juice: Key liquid components for tenderizing and adding bright Mediterranean flavor, extra virgin preferred.
• Lemon Zest: Provides intense citrus aroma without added liquid, use fresh lemons for best results.
• Garlic: Fresh minced garlic adds depth and aromatic quality to the marinade, choose firm, plump cloves.
• Rosemary: Fresh herb that brings earthy, pine-like flavor, select sprigs with vibrant green color.
• Black Pepper: Freshly ground pepper offers more intense flavor, whole peppercorns recommended for grinding.

• Kosher Salt: Helps season and draw moisture from chicken, coarse texture ensures better distribution.
• Lemon Halves: For grilling and serving, provides additional citrus caramelization, select firm, bright yellow lemons.

• Aluminum Foil: Used for resting chicken and trapping heat, heavy-duty variety works best.
• Plastic Wrap: Covers marinating dish to prevent contamination and retain moisture.

Directions for Barefoot Contessa Tuscan Lemon Chicken

Step 1: Prepare Chicken for Maximum Flavor

Flatten chicken breasts evenly. Generously sprinkle kosher salt on both sides of the chicken.

Step 2: Create Zesty Marinade

• Olive oil
• Lemon zest
• Fresh lemon juice
• Minced garlic
• Chopped rosemary
• Freshly ground black pepper

Place chicken in the marinade, ensuring complete coverage. Rotate chicken to coat thoroughly. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 4-8 hours, turning occasionally to enhance flavor absorption.

Step 3: Set Up Grill for Perfect Cooking

• Light fire on one side
• Create a cooler zone on the opposite side

• Set temperature to low heat
• Prepare a temperature-controlled cooking area

Step 4: Grill Chicken to Golden Perfection

Place chicken skin-side up on the cooler grill section. Use a heavy dish to press down chicken for even cooking. Grill for 12-15 minutes until golden brown underneath. Flip chicken skin-side down, press again, and continue grilling 12-15 minutes. During final 10 minutes, place lemon halves cut-side down on the cool grill section.

Step 5: Rest and Serve Like a Pro

Remove chicken from grill. Tent with aluminum foil and let rest for 5 minutes. Cut into quarters. Sprinkle with additional salt. Serve alongside grilled lemon halves for a burst of citrusy flavor.

Pro Tip: Grilling lemon halves caramelizes their natural sugars, creating a delightful accompaniment to the chicken.

Tips to Perfect Barefoot Contessa Tuscan Lemon Chicken

• Maximize Lemon Zest: Grate lemon zest before squeezing the juice to capture maximum citrusy flavor and aromatic oils for an intense taste profile.
• Perfect Marinating Technique: Create small cuts or punctures in the chicken skin to help marinade penetrate deeper, ensuring every bite is packed with herb and lemon goodness.
• Flatten for Even Cooking: Butterfly or spatchcock the chicken by removing the backbone, which helps the meat cook uniformly and reduces cooking time on the grill.
• Temperature Control Matters: Use a meat thermometer to check internal chicken temperature, ensuring it reaches 165°F for safe and perfectly cooked meat without drying out.
• Herb Infusion Trick: Crush fresh herbs between your hands before adding to the marinade to release their essential oils and enhance the overall flavor of the chicken.

How to Store Barefoot Contessa Tuscan Lemon Chicken

• Freeze in Flavor-Locking Containers: Seal chicken in heavy-duty freezer bags, press out excess air, and store flat for maximum space efficiency. Press each bag gently to create a thin, uniform layer that prevents freezer burn and preserves the zesty lemon marinade.
• Refrigerator Quick-Save Method: Transfer leftover chicken to glass containers with tight-sealing lids. Consume within 2-3 days for optimal taste and texture, keeping the chicken moist and preventing potential bacterial growth.
• Smart Reheating Strategy: Revive chilled chicken by placing it on a wire rack over a baking sheet in a 325°F oven. Cover loosely with foil to trap moisture, heating for 10-12 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165°F, ensuring juicy, tender meat without drying out the delicate lemon-herb coating.

Alternate Approaches to Barefoot Contessa Tuscan Lemon Chicken

• Herb Garden Fusion: Replace rosemary with a blend of fresh thyme, oregano, and basil for a vibrant Mediterranean herb profile that enhances the chicken's flavor complexity.
• Spicy Mediterranean Kick: Add red pepper flakes and paprika to the marinade for a bold, fiery version that transforms the traditional recipe into a zesty sensation.
• Citrus Blend Revolution: Swap pure lemon juice with a combination of orange and lime juice, creating a multidimensional citrus marinade that adds unexpected brightness to the chicken.
• Smoky Paprika Infusion: Incorporate smoked paprika and a touch of cumin into the marinade, giving the chicken a deep, smoky undertone that complements the grilling technique.

Summation of Barefoot Contessa Tuscan Lemon Chicken

Tuscan lemon chicken whispers Mediterranean charm through its zesty marinade and perfectly grilled exterior.

Ina Garten’s recipe transforms simple ingredients into a culinary masterpiece that transports palates to sun-drenched Italian landscapes.

Lemon’s bright acidity dances with rosemary’s earthy notes, creating a symphony of flavors that elevates home cooking.

Salt and pepper provide subtle depth, while olive oil ensures juicy, tender meat that melts on the tongue.

Weekend grill masters can embrace this foolproof technique that guarantees restaurant-quality results with minimal effort.

When you plate this golden-skinned chicken alongside charred lemon halves, prepare for applause – so snap that mouthwatering photo, share this Mediterranean marvel with friends, and let your taste buds travel to Tuscany’s rolling hills.

Barefoot Contessa Tuscan Lemon Chicken Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.7 from 12 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Ina Garten’s Tuscan Lemon Chicken delivers Mediterranean sunshine on a plate. Rosemary-infused, crispy-skinned chicken merges zesty lemon notes with fresh herbs, promising a delightful journey through Italian countryside flavors you’ll savor with each memorable bite.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Poultry:

• 1 whole chicken (1.6 kg / 3.5 pounds), flattened

Herb and Citrus Mixture:

• 2 teaspoons lemon zest (from 2 lemons)
• 1 tablespoon minced fresh rosemary leaves
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic (about 3 cloves)

Liquid and Seasoning:

• 80 milliliters (⅓ cup) good olive oil
• 80 milliliters (⅓ cup) freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 1 lemon, halved
• Kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Carefully butterfly and flatten the chicken, then generously season both sides with of kosher salt, ensuring even coverage.
2. Create a robust marinade by whisking together olive oil, lemon zest, freshly squeezed lemon juice, 3 finely minced garlic cloves, chopped fresh rosemary, and freshly ground black pepper in a non-reactive glass or ceramic container.
3. Submerge the seasoned chicken completely in the marinade, turning to coat every surface. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for a minimum of 4 hours, ideally overnight, rotating the chicken periodically to ensure uniform flavor absorption.
4. Prepare the grill by creating two temperature zones: a high-heat area and a cooler indirect heat section. For charcoal grills, arrange hot coals on one side; for gas grills, activate one burner to low temperature.
5. Position the marinated chicken on the cooler grill section, skin facing upward. Use a heavy cast-iron skillet or brick wrapped in aluminum foil to apply gentle pressure, promoting even cooking and crispy skin.
6. Grill the chicken for 12 to 15 minutes until the underside develops a golden-brown color. Carefully flip the chicken, skin side down, and continue grilling with consistent weight for an additional 12 to 15 minutes.
7. During the final 10 minutes of cooking, place lemon halves cut-side down on the cooler grill section to caramelize and intensify their natural sweetness.
8. Verify the chicken’s doneness by ensuring the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) using a meat thermometer. Remove from the grill and loosely tent with aluminum foil, allowing the meat to rest for 5 minutes.
9. Slice the chicken into quarter portions, sprinkle with an extra pinch of salt, and serve immediately alongside the grilled lemon halves for squeezing over the meat.

Notes

• Squeeze lemons fresh: Grab ripe, plump lemons and extract juice directly before cooking to capture maximum citrusy brightness and enhance chicken’s flavor profile.
• Marinate patiently: Allow chicken to bathe in lemon marinade for minimum 4 hours, transforming ordinary meat into a tender, flavor-packed masterpiece that melts in your mouth.
• Control grill temperature: Position chicken on cooler grill sections, ensuring even cooking without charring and maintaining succulent meat texture throughout grilling process.
• Press for perfect sear: Gently weigh down chicken with a heavy dish to create uniform crispiness and guarantee golden, appetizing exterior with consistent cooking.
• Rest after grilling: Loosely tent cooked chicken with aluminum foil for 5 minutes, enabling natural juice redistribution and guaranteeing incredibly juicy, mouth-watering results.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Grilling
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 525
• Sugar: 1g
• Sodium: 1,179mg
• Fat: 35g
• Saturated Fat: 10g
• Carbohydrates: 5g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 97g
• Cholesterol: 85mg