About
Bring on the napkins! Finger-Licking Lemon Chicken will have you elbow-deep in lip-smacking great taste! A freshly butchered chicken is tenderly browned, then immersed in a lemon and garlic sauna of a slow cooker, along with some chicken stock to get the juices flowing and create the base of a gravy in the making. We've got thyme, lots of thyme, and the flavors in Finger-Licking Lemon Chicken show it! Serve with your favorite(s) and you will have them eating out of the palm of your hand... it's just that finger-licking-delicious!
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 whole chicken, butchered into 8 pieces
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 3 lemons, cut into thick slices
- 3 whole garlic bulbs, cut in half to expose cloves
- 2 cups chicken or vegetable stock
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons flour
Directions
Step 1 -In a large, heavy-bottomed pan, heat the olive oil.
Step 2 -Season the chicken pieces evenly with the salt and the black pepper.
Step 3 -Add the seasoned chicken pieces to the heated olive oil, in batches, and sear until they are lightly browned on each side.
Step 4 -In the bottom of a slow cooker, add all but 4 of the lemon slices and all of the garlic bulbs.
Step 5 -Layer the browned chicken pieces on top of the lemon slices and the garlic bulbs.
Step 6 -Gently pour the chicken stock over the chicken mixture.
Step 7 -Place the reserved lemon slices on top of the chicken mixture and sprinkle with the dried thyme.
Step 8 -Cook the chicken mixture on low heat until the meat reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F and the juices run clear, about 6 hours.
Step 9 -Transfer the cooked chicken pieces to a large plate and cover with aluminum foil to keep warm.
Step 10 -Strain and reserve the broth, then remove and discard the garlic bulbs. Reserve the lemon slices for garnish.
Step 11 -In a medium saucepan, melt the butter.
Step 12 -Add the flour to the melted butter and cook, whisking constantly, until it is golden-brown.
Step 13 -Slowly pour the strained chicken broth into the flour mixture and whisk until it is smooth. Cook, stirring constantly, until it has thickened into a gravy.
Step 14 -Serve the chicken pieces drizzled with the gravy, garnished with the reserved lemon slices.
