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🍗 “Rotisserie? I Hardly Knew Her!” Cast Iron Lemon Pepper Chicken
“No spinning needed, just a hot pan and hotter flavor.”

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🍳 Ingredients (Serves 3–4 people or one really committed chicken lover)
🐔 The Chicken:
• 1 whole chicken, cut into 8 pieces (or 4 bone-in, skin-on thighs if you’re a thigh enthusiast)
• 1 tbsp olive oil (plus more for the pan)
• 1 tbsp lemon zest
• 2 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tbsp cracked black pepper (the chunkier, the better)
• 1½ tsp salt
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• ½ tsp smoked paprika (for that “I swear this was on a rotisserie” vibe)
• Optional: fresh thyme or rosemary sprigs for bonus herbiness
Joke break:
Why did the chicken get promoted?
Because it always knew how to bring the heat… and never winged it. 🔥🐓

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🔥 Instructions

1. Preheat that cast iron!
   Place a large cast iron skillet in your oven and preheat to 425°F (218°C). Yes, preheat the pan too, hot cast iron = crispy skin goals. 🔥
2. Season like a legend:
   In a bowl, mix olive oil, lemon zest, lemon juice, pepper, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika. Rub it all over the chicken like it just got back from vacation and needs a good massage.
3. Sear before you soar:
   Carefully (and I mean carefully, this pan is hotter than your ex’s new fling), place chicken skin-side down in the hot cast iron. Sear for 3–4 minutes until golden brown.
4. Roast it like you mean it:
   Flip the chicken skin-side up and place the skillet in the oven. Roast for 30–35 minutes or until internal temp hits 165°F (74°C). Baste with juices halfway through for max flavor drama.
5. Rest and respect:
   Let it rest for 5–10 minutes before serving. This gives the juices time to get back where they belong, inside the chicken, not your cutting board.

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🍋 Why You’ll Cluck With Joy Over This Dish:
• Crispy, golden skin with juicy, lemon-pepper flavor
• Cast iron = fake rotisserie magic
• No fancy tools, just kitchen confidence
• Tastes like it came from a chicken wizard
Joke break:
What’s a chicken’s least favorite yoga pose?
“Rotisserie twist.” Too much heat, not enough zen. 😅

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🌟 Final Punchline:
What did the cast iron say to the chicken?
“Let’s make something sizzlin’, no strings (or rotisserie rods) attached.”

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