Classic French Rosemary Grilled or Fried Chicken

By
Rebecca Franklin
Rebecca Franklin
Rebecca Franklin is a freelance lifestyle writer and recipe developer. Her expertise is in French cuisine, which she writes about and teaches.
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Updated on 04/25/22
Grilled Chicken With Rosemary

Stock Food / Getty Images

Prep: 5 mins
Cook: 12 mins
Marinate: 60 mins
Total: 77 mins
Servings: 6 servings
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
398 Calories
23g Fat
2g Carbs
40g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 6
Amount per serving
Calories 398
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 23g 29%
Saturated Fat 5g 26%
Cholesterol 176mg 59%
Sodium 431mg 19%
Total Carbohydrate 2g 1%
Dietary Fiber 0g 1%
Total Sugars 0g
Protein 40g
Vitamin C 2mg 11%
Calcium 30mg 2%
Iron 2mg 10%
Potassium 416mg 9%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

Grilling chicken is a healthy option to frying though both taste delicious. In this classic French rosemary baked chicken recipe you have the option to try either way. Marinating budget-friendly chicken pieces in herb-laced lemon juice, white wine, and oil allows this succulent rosemary chicken recipe to stay juicy through the cooking process.

Serve the cooked chicken with simple grilled or baked potatoes, a fresh chopped salad, and a plate of fruit turn this into a complete, wholesome and somewhat healthy meal.

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds chicken pieces

  • 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

  • 1/4 cup lemon juice

  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest

  • 1/4 cup dry white wine

  • 3 tablespoons chopped fresh rosemary

  • 1 clove garlic, crushed and chopped

  • 3/4 teaspoon salt, reduce to 1/4 teaspoon if using sodium-containing chicken

  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

For the Garnish:

  • 6 small sprigs fresh rosemary, optional

Steps to Make It

  1. Start by stirring together the olive oil, the lemon juice, lemon zest, white wine, rosemary, garlic, salt, and pepper until all the ingredients are thoroughly combined.

  2. Place your chicken pieces into a large baking dish and pour over the oil and lemon marinade. Turn the chicken pieces at least once to coat each piece with the marinade. Cover the dish and refrigerate the chicken for a minimum of at least 1 hour (longer if you have the time), turning the pieces once every 15 minutes if you can or as frequently as possible. 

  3. Preheat a grill or brush a large skillet with oil and set it over medium-high heat. Arrange all the chicken pieces on the grill or place the chicken, in batches, into the hot skillet. Discard the marinade.

  4. Cook the chicken for 4 to 6 minutes on each side whichever way you choose. The chicken is done when the thickest part feels firm to the touch and tests 165 F on an instant-read thermometer.

  5. Serve hot as an entrée or allow the chicken to go cold, then refrigerate and serve later sliced in a salad or on a sandwich. Garnish with additional fresh rosemary, if desired.

Recipe Variations

  • This recipe is a classic and as such is best not messed around with too much. However, you can ring the changes by just adjusting the type of herbs you use. Thyme or sage are delicious alternatives, or for a truly summery flavor to the dish use a good handful of fresh basil in the marinade.

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