Preparation

• Position a rack in the center of the oven and heat the oven to 350°F.
• Mince and then smear the thyme, garlic, and a pinch of salt together with the side of a chef’s knife to create a paste.
• Rub the skin of the chicken breasts with the cut side of the lemon ends. Carefully loosen the skin of each breast and spread about 1/2 tsp. of the garlic-thyme paste between the skin and meat. Smooth the skin over the paste, brush the chicken breasts all over with the oil, and season with 1/2 tsp. salt and 1/2 tsp. pepper total.
• Set a wire rack over a large rimmed baking sheet lined with foil and arrange the lemon slices in a single layer on the rack. Put the chicken breasts skin side up on the lemon slices and roast until an instant-read thermometer inserted in the thickest part of a breast registers 150°F, about 35 minutes. Raise the oven temperature to 450°F and continue roasting until the skin is crisp and browned and the thermometer registers 165°F, about 10 minutes more. Remove from the oven. Using a pastry brush, spread the yuzu kosho in a thin layer all over the skin of the chicken. Serve the chicken with the lemon slices, if you like.

Serve this dish with steamed broccoli tossed with sautéed fresh ginger, soy sauce, and sesame oil.