You and your family will be hooked on this delicious roasted chicken. Just place everything in a cast iron skillet or other oven-proof skillet and let it cook in the oven. The lemon brings a wonderful aroma into the house and a great flavor to the chicken
1 whole chicken, with skin on, cut into pieces
3 lemons
4 whole garlic bulbs
3 - 4 sprigs rosemary
1-2 T. olive oil
sea salt
black pepper
Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
Rinse chicken; pat dry; season with salt and pepper.
Cut tops off of 3 heads of garlic. Smash the 4th with the flat side of a wide knife, to separate the cloves.
Slice lemons into thick slices or wedges.
Heat a cast iron skillet or heavy bottomed skillet over medium-high heat. Pour 1 T. olive oil into the skillet; place lemon pieces and whole bulbs of garlic, cut side down in still hot skillet; brown 2-3 minutes. Remove lemon pieces and garlic bulbs to a plate/platter.
Place chicken, skin side down, in the hot skillet, in batches depending on the size of the pan. DO NOT over-crowd the chicken, which would cause chicken to steam rather than brown.
When chicken is golden brown, flip (skin side up); cook for another 3-5 minutes.
Press lemon pieces onto each piece of chicken, leaving them to bake on top of the chicken pieces.Place whole bulbs of garlic around the chicken. Scatter garlic cloves, still in their skins, around the chicken. Break apart rosemary sprigs; distribute sprigs chicken pieces.
Place uncovered skillet in oven; roast 25-30 minutes or until chicken is cooked through.