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Juicy Baked Chicken Pieces

This recipe for Juicy Baked Chicken Pieces delivers incredibly tender and flavorful chicken with a wonderfully crispy skin. Seasoned with a vibrant mix of garlic, Italian herbs, and fresh lemon, it's an effortless and perfect main course for any weeknight.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 486
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 whole chicken cut into parts, or 8 mixed pieces of bone-in chicken, thighs, legs, wings, breasts 1 whole chicken cut into parts, or 8 mixed pieces of bone-in chicken, thighs, legs, wings, breasts
  • Salt, for seasoning Salt, for seasoning
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 teaspoons garlic powder 2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
  • 2 lemons 2 lemons

Method
 

  1. 1. Preheat the oven to 400F (205C), and position the oven rack one level up from the middle position (top third). Grease a baking tray with oil.
  2. 2. Trim the chicken pieces of any excess fat and pat dry with a paper towel. Generously season the chicken pieces with salt and place them in the baking tray, skin-side up.
  3. 3. In a small bowl, combine olive oil, garlic, Italian seasoning, and the juice of 1 lemon. Distribute the mixture generously over the chicken pieces. Cover with foil.
  4. 4. Once the oven is preheated, add the covered chicken pieces and bake for 30 minutes.
  5. 5. After 30 minutes, remove the foil and reduce the oven temperature to 375F (190C). Cook for an additional 20 minutes.
  6. 6. Remove from the oven to test the internal temperature, where dark chicken pieces have reached 175F (80C) and white (breast) 165F (74C). If ready, remove from the oven.
  7. 7. Remove the chicken pieces from the baking tray onto a serving dish and squeeze the remaining lemon over the top of the hot chicken pieces.

Notes

For crispier skin, ensure chicken is patted very dry before seasoning. Do not overcrowd the baking tray; use two if necessary for proper air circulation. Allow the chicken to rest for 5-10 minutes after baking to keep it incredibly juicy.