A Kendall Oberto Recipe (#ROTD)

Tuscan Lemon Chicken

Main Dishes

Prep Time: 20 min Cook Time: 40 min Difficulty: Easy Servings: Yield: 2 to 3 servings Source: foodnetwork.com

INGREDIENTS

1 (3 1/2-pound) chicken, flattened

Kosher salt

1/3 cup good olive oil

2 teaspoons grated lemon zest (2 lemons)

1/3 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice

1 tablespoon minced garlic (3 cloves)

1 tablespoon minced fresh rosemary leaves

Freshly ground black pepper

1 lemon, halved

DESCRIPTION

Another classic recipe from the lovely and talented Ina Garten. I make this chicken every Christmas for my sister-in-law who prefers not to eat red meat with the rest of us carnivores. To “flatten” or spatchcock the chicken, hold the whole chicken by it’s legs, then cut out the backbone by cutting along each side. Save the backbone for a future batch of chicken stock, then pull the two thighs apart and press down on the center of the breastbone to crack it.

DIRECTIONS

Sprinkle the chicken with 1 teaspoon salt on each side. Combine the olive oil, lemon zest, lemon juice, garlic, rosemary, and 2 teaspoons pepper in a small measuring cup. Place the chicken in a ceramic or glass dish just large enough to hold it flat. Pour the lemon marinade over the chicken, turning it in the dish. Cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight (overnight is best). Turn the chicken 2 or 3 times while marinating.

When ready to grill, prepare a hot charcoal fire on 1 side of a grill (or turn a gas grill on low heat). Spread 1/4 of the coals across the other side of the grill. Place the chicken on the cooler side, skin side up, and weigh it down with the dish you used for marinating. Cook for 12 to 15 minutes, until the underside is golden brown. Turn the chicken skin side down, weight again with the dish, and cook for another 12 to 15 minutes, until the skin is golden brown and the chicken is cooked through. Place the lemon halves on the cool side of the grill, cut side down for the last 10 minutes of cooking. Remove the chicken to a plate or cutting board, cover with aluminum foil, and allow to rest for 5 minutes. Cut in quarters, sprinkle with salt, and serve with the grilled lemon halves.

NOTES

I find it hard these days to find a chicken this small (3 1/2 pounds). As such, please be aware that the cooking time will need to be adjusted accordingly. You want to make sure a thermometer placed in the fattest part of the breast registers 160 degrees. Alternatively, you can make sure the legs “wobble’ and the juices run clear.

Happy Eating!!