For this dish I prefer to purchase pre-cut pieces of chicken (bone in, skin on), rather than wrestle with cutting up a whole bird, but that choice is up to you. Depending on the number of people you need to feed, you can decide which method works best.  All you need is the right amount of chicken, fresh lemon and the results will knock everyone’s socks off!  For a special graduation gathering, this will beat out take-out fried chicken any day.

Ingredients: 

• 5 lbs of chicken (a nice mixture of split breast, thighs and drumsticks)
• 6 lemons (zest at least 3)
• 2 teaspoons basil
• 2 teaspoons garlic salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• canola or vegetable oil
• ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil, good quality
• 1 cup crumbled feta cheese (optional)

Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees.  Place the chicken pieces in a large roasting pan (if you don’t have one you can use a baking dish or pan that has an edge).  Drizzle canola oil over the chicken (use a light hand), then season with the basil, garlic salt, and pepper.  Squeeze four of the lemons over the chicken, catching any/all seeds in your cupped hand (or juice beforehand and drizzle).  Pour the olive oil onto the pan around the chicken (this will add tremendous flavor to your sauce!)  Bake for 25-30 minutes.

Take the chicken out of the oven and move chicken to your serving platter. Squeeze the remaining two lemons onto the hot pan and using a whisk, try to scrape as much of the browned bits from the pan, then pour all of the pan juices over the chicken.  For an extra special touch, sprinkle with the lemon zest and feta cheese.