Lazy Lemon-Lime Chicken

We’ve all got so busy, so we are all trying our best. One of the biggest weapons in my arsenal is citrus. Oranges, lemons and limes you will always find in my kitchen. Why? Easiest way to impart flavour to legit almost anything.

I’m cooking, boom, a squeeze of lemon. Making a nice drink, boom, a slice of orange and a squeeze of lime. Cake, well … ! Lemon curd, orange chicken, lime gin and tonic all make for a great and easy dinner and drinks, perhaps just not served in that order.

Finding the perfect flavour or spice combinations in the kitchen can be a daunting task for most, that’s why I always try and keep it easy in the beginning when working with new cooks.

Citrus fruit impart a nice zing to your food exploits, and here are some of my favourite hits:

1. Boil potatoes and, halfway, take them out, smash them lightly with the base of a clean glass, place them on a baking tray, sprinkle salt and pepper and a bit of oil, and bake in the oven until golden. When done, squeeze fresh lemon juice over them.

Thank me later.

2. Your regular glass of Oros or Mazoe, or any other dilutable cordial, squeeze in half a lemon and dilute with soda water. You will never look at Oros or Mazoe in the same way again. Again, thank me later.

3. Lemon acts as a great tenderiser, so soak your heavy meats in lemon juice before preparing them, and if lemon flavour is not what you’re going for, simply wash it off after it has gone a bit tender, then impart desired flavour. It’s simply genius. No need to thank me.

4. Fresh salad? Squeeze a lime over it.

5. Heat up leftover kapana, squeeze a lime or half a lemon, place it in a tortilla, and you have yourself an authentic Namibian taco. Well, sort of.

6. Should we even talk fish? If you have the pleasure of having fish more than twice a week, then lemons should have a permanent home in your kitchen.

The recipe today is a true testament to how laziness can produce some of the most amazing flavours, and it is indeed something even the kids can go ahead and start making.

Putting this together takes about 10 minutes. Along with cooking time, the total comes to about 30 minutes max, minus the marinade time which you can opt out of.

This citrus chicken takes on many versions in my household, to the point where I have tried a slightly sweet grapefruit version.

Enjoy wowing your friends and guests with this fail-proof recipe.

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