The Surprising Secret Ingredient for Tender, Juicy, Lemony Roast Chicken

Chicken is the ultimate dinnertime hero in our house! Whether it’s baked, grilled, fried or turned into nuggets, we’ll eat it in just about any form. It’s versatile, affordable and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser—even for the pickiest eaters (yes, I’m looking at my kids).

I’m always on the hunt for new chicken recipes to keep things exciting—something saucy, crispy and/or packed with bold flavors that will wow my family and make them want more. From creamy casseroles to zesty tacos, chicken never lets me down. Honestly, it’s like a blank canvas waiting to be dressed up and I just found a recipe that promises to deliver the best-ever roast chicken with just one ingredient.

Food writer, recipe developer and photographer Lorraine Elliott shared this on her Instagram page (@notquitenigella) and I can’t wait to make this for the biggest critics in my life—my kids. 

Related: No More Sad Chicken Dinners! Add Some Zest to Your Weekly Meals With These 60 Lemon Chicken Recipes

Why You Should Put Lemon Curd on Your Roast Chicken 

“You’re going to think I’m crazy with this lemon curd chicken. Yes! NGL I was totally skeptical,” Lorraine wrote in the caption of her post. “I tested it out first on a couple of chicken drumsticks because I didn’t want to sacrifice a whole chicken to something possibly weird and bizarre but I promise this is one of the most delicious chicken dishes you will ever try!”

I was immediately intrigued. One of the most delicious I have ever tried? I’d love to be the judge of that! 

Lemon curd is a luscious, tangy spread made from lemon juice, sugar, eggs and butter. Cooked until creamy, it’s smooth and bursting with citrus flavor, making it perfect for spreading on toast or filling cakes, and apparently it’s versatile enough to be used on chicken, too!

While Lorraine used it on drumsticks, other content creators and food sites have coated whole chicken in it to create moist, tangy roasted chicken, and it really does sound great.

Lemon curd chicken would create a delightful balance of savory and sweet flavors, with a tangy twist. The rich, buttery lemon curd is used to create a glossy coating that infuses the chicken with bright citrus flavors and a hint of sweetness. It adds a unique, gourmet flair that elevates a basic chicken dish. 

Lemon curd helps to make the chicken moist because of its acidic properties. The butter in the curd creates a thick coating that locks in the chicken’s natural juices during cooking, while the acidity from the lemon tenderizes the meat. This combination results in chicken that’s not only flavorful but also juicy and perfectly moist!

While this may be an unconventional ingredient, using lemon curd is an easy way to get a delicious chicken that will really impress your family. 

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