Did I just turn you off at the word roast? I certainly hope not, I don’t like to be a turn off.
I know, I know. It’s summer. It’s hot. No one wants to turn their ovens on. I hear you.
Here’s another thing that happens in the summer. You spend all day outside, swimming, splashing, building sandcastles and by the time you get home you are starving, covered in sand, and wish you’d invested in that personal chef service you’ve always dreamed about.
That’s when this simple, simple roast chicken recipes rushes in to save the day. No lighting up the grill and waiting for the charcoal to heat up, then cool down (although if you have a gas grill it would probably be a hell of a good idea) just flip the oven on, whip the marinade together and drop the chicken in.

Soy and Citrus Roast Chicken
The raw chicken can be frozen in the marinade for up to 3 months. Thaw completely before cooking.
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons lemon zest
- 3 tablespoons orange zest
- 2 tablespoons fresh orange juice
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons chopped parsley
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 8-10 chicken pieces (you can use 1 whole chicken cut into 10 pieces, or 8-10 breasts, thighs, drumsticks, or a combination)
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients except the chicken in a large shallow container. Add chicken pieces and toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate, turning occasionally, for at least 30 minutes or up to overnight.
- When ready to cook, heat oven to 400°F and remove chicken from refrigerator to come to room temperature while oven is heating.
- Remove chicken from marinade and let excess drip off. Place pieces well apart on a foil-lined baking sheet and roast in the lower third of the oven for 40-45 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden brown and crispy.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 163Total Fat: 10gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 45mgSodium: 255mgCarbohydrates: 7gFiber: 1gSugar: 5gProtein: 11g
I just made this for dinner tonight, and it was another favorite! I used limes instead of lemons (because I didn’t have any), and I also used chicken thighs. I absolutely loved the flavor of the orange. I always appreciate those meals that I can pull together when I get home from school. That is always the time of the day when I’m most tired, and it is so nice to be able to still put something tasty and healthy on the table. Thanks for supplying me with recipes for two of our meals this week!!
Nice! This is one of our weeknight favorites too Nicole.