Lebanese Garlic Lemon Chicken

Ingredients

For the Chicken

• 4 skin-on, boneless chicken breasts
• Juice of 2 fresh lemons
• 6 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp dried basil
• 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
• 6 large potatoes, sliced into 1/4 inch thick rounds

For the 'Thoom' Marinade (Arabic for Garlic)

• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• 1/4 tsp salt
• A dash of cayenne pepper

Directions

Preparing the Marinade

1. Blend Ingredients: Combine the lemon juice, basil, garlic, salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper in a blender to create the marinade.
2. Marinate Chicken: Place the chicken breasts in a deep pan or bowl and pour the marinade over them, ensuring all pieces are well-coated. Cover the container and refrigerate overnight. Turn the chicken in the morning and let it marinate for an additional 4 hours.

Cooking the Chicken

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Initial Bake: Drain the marinade from the chicken (but do not discard it). Bake the chicken in the preheated oven for 15 minutes to brown it.
3. Slow Cook: Pour the reserved marinade back over the browned chicken. Cover the pan tightly with aluminum foil and reduce the oven temperature to 250°F (120°C). Baste the chicken with the marinade every hour for three hours.
4. Add Potatoes: After 4 hours, add the potato slices to the pan. Baste the chicken and potatoes well, cover with aluminum foil, and bake for an additional hour.

Preparing the Thoom

1. Blend Ingredients: Blend all the ingredients listed for the thoom. This will be used as a condiment for the chicken and potatoes.

Serving

Traditionally, this Lebanese Garlic Lemon Chicken is served with warm pita bread.

Interesting Facts and Stats

• Garlic's Health Benefits: Garlic is known for its health benefits, including boosting the immune system and reducing blood pressure. According to a study published in the Journal of Nutrition, garlic can reduce the risk of heart disease by 10-15% (source).
• Lemon's Nutritional Value: Lemons are rich in Vitamin C, providing 64% of the daily recommended intake per 100 grams. They also contain flavonoids, which have antioxidant properties (source).
• Slow Cooking Benefits: Slow cooking helps retain the nutrients in food and enhances the flavors. According to a study by the Journal of Food Science, slow-cooked meals can retain up to 90% of their nutrients compared to other cooking methods (source).

Conclusion

This Lebanese Garlic Lemon Chicken recipe is a testament to the rich culinary traditions of Lebanon. With its simple ingredients and slow-cooked method, it offers a flavorful and nutritious meal that is sure to become a family favorite. Enjoy it with warm pita bread for an authentic experience.