Lemon Lavender Roasted Chicken

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Lemon Lavender Roast Chicken

There is nothing more comforting than a whole roasted chicken and I make them often, even in summer. But in the summer months when it’s warm (to put it mildly), I crave flavors that are a little lighter, and a lot brighter. And so with my need for both cozy comfort and brightness, this recipe for lemon lavender roasted chicken was born.

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Recipe modified & recipe card updated in June, 2021.

Do Lemon and Lavender Go Together?

I love lemon + lavender together, but I usually enjoy the combo in sweet treats like tarts, cakes and scones. But the French often use lavender in savory applications and it’s frequently a star in herb blends like Herbs de Provence, so I thought I’d give it a go. Nearly every yard in my neighborhood has some lavender growing. I have two different types in mine. We are lucky enough to be able to harvest it year round, but in late spring and summer it really goes nuts.

Heat releases the intoxicating aroma and I often toss some stems into my bath, or even a mug of tea. And yet, while it smells amazing, too much lavender added to a recipe can make your food taste soapy or medicinal. A little definitely goes a long way when it comes to food.

If you are lucky enough to grown lavender in your yard, make sure if you use it in the kitchen that is hasn’t been sprayed with pesticides. Or your dog. Ahem. But if you don’t grow it, you can always purchase dried culinary lavender online.

Now back to this chicken; not only is it infused with lemon and lavender, but a layer of soft goat cheese and herbs is spread under the skin which flavors the meat and makes it especially succulent. I originally learned this technique from kitchen queen Ina Garten, and I highly recommend the method.

Lemon Lavender Roast Chicken

How to Perfectly Roast a Chicken Every Time

  1. Season it well! Roast chicken always tastes best if it’s well seasoned so don’t be shy with the salt.
  2. Watch the heat! I typically roast smaller chickens at higher heat, but this recipe calls for a 5 pound roaster so lower and slower, and the occasional basting with pan juices will yield the best results. You are just an hour and a half away from the most amazing smelling kitchen, and the most amazing and delightful lemon lavender roasted chicken.
  3. Add flavor! Chickens, while delicious plain, are also kind of a blank slate when it comes to flavors. I almost always rub herbs, butter, and citrus zest under the skin of the breasts and thighs. In this recipe, I also put goat cheese under the skin which keeps the meat moist and adds a ton of flavor.

If you make this roasted chicken recipe, or any of my others be sure to tag me on Instagram, and use the hashtags #agirldefloured #deflouredrecipes!

Lemon Lavender Roasted Whole Chicken

Lemon Lavender Roasted Chicken

Alison Needham
This succulent roast chicken is light and bright with the addition of lemon and lavender. A layer of goat cheese with herbs is spread under the skin before baking which helps keep the meat tender and flavorful.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 45 minutes
Cuisine American, French
Servings 6 people
Calories 737 kcal

Equipment

  • Small Roasting Pan

Ingredients
  

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Discard the giblets from the chicken’s cavity and pat the chicken dry with paper towels.
  • Put the goat cheese, rosemary, lavender, lemon zest, and thyme in a food processor fitted with the steel blade attachment. Pulse until smooth.
  • Starting at the chicken’s neck, carefully slide your fingers under the skin creating a pocket. Stretch your fingers down towards the thighs and extend the pocket as far as you can reach over the thigh meat. Spread the cheese mixture as evenly as you can over the breast and thigh meat.
  • Place the lemon halves inside the cavity of the chicken, truss the chicken and tuck the wings behind its back.
  • Rub a generous amount of salt and pepper over the skin and place in a shallow roasting pan just large enough for the chicken. Drizzle with olive oil. Roast, basting with pan juices several times, for about 1½ hours or until a thermometer inserted into the breast reads 165 degrees. Tent with foil and rest for 10 minutes before carving.

Nutrition

Serving: 1portionCalories: 737kcalCarbohydrates: 3gProtein: 54gFat: 55gSaturated Fat: 18gCholesterol: 255mgSodium: 330mgPotassium: 584mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 2771IUVitamin C: 19mgCalcium: 99mgIron: 5mg
Keyword Lemon Lavender Roasted Chicken, Roasted Chicken
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Want more LEMON + LAVENDER inspo? Be sure to check out these recipes:

Gluten Free Lemon Lavender Cake

Gluten Free Lemon + Lavender Cake

This Lemon Lavender Cake is more than just a dessert; it’s a celebration of flavors, textures, and aromas. It’s a cake that’s the culinary equivalent of a sun-drenched field in Provence, where the air is perfumed with the heady scent of lavender and the zesty whispers of lemon zest. Whether for a birthday, an afternoon tea, or just because, this cake promises to bring a slice of Ginger & Fox Bake Shop’s magic into your home.

Make the gluten free lemon + lavender cake >>>

Gluten Free Lemon Lavender Scones

Ah, scones! They are the quintessential tea-time treat, and when you add the zesty brightness of lemon and the subtle floral notes of lavender, you elevate them to a whole new level of deliciousness. These gluten-free Lemon Lavender Scones are not only a delight to taste but also a feast for the eyes, perfect for a spring brunch, a fancy tea party, or any special occasion that calls for a touch of elegance.

Get the gluten free scone recipe >>>

Gluten-Free Lemon Lavender Scones
Lemon Lavender Gin Summer Spritz

Lemon Lavender Gin Spritz

I’m going to be drinking this light and refreshing Lemon Lavender Summer Gin Spritz, made with the gorgeous, purple hued Empress Gin, all summer long. To me the perfect summer cocktails are light, refreshing and yes, thirst quenching. I love adding citrus to summer tipples, and I also often top them off with a good splash of sparkling water (or club soda) – because bubbles are fun! My last requirement is that they are beautiful. And this lemon lavender spritz has that in spades. I mean…look at it! 

Get the gin cocktail recipe >>>

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4 Comments

  1. Chicken looks amazing ..i can wait till 1 hrs 45 mins for this amazing recipe yummy. “LOL” ..i will definitely try once thanks for sharing keep sharing wonderful recipes

  2. Roasted chicken is my daughter’s favorite and mine also. I love cooking and today I was searching for roasted chicken ideas and found this post. I would love to try this recipe today. Thanks.

  3. Hello! I love your recipes and blog! I’m excited to try this lemon lavender roasted chicken! My only question is should the recipe include some lemon or lemon zest? I don’t see that included in the recipe!

    Thank you!!

    1. Hi Andi – good catch! I’ve updated the recipe. Thank you so much for your comment and please let me know how it turns out!

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