Juicy Grilled Whole Chicken Mediterranean Style Food

JUICY GRILLED WHOLE CHICKEN, MEDITERRANEAN-STYLE

Steps:

• Spatchcock (butterfly) the chicken (or ask your butcher to do it). Place the chicken on a cutting board with its backbone facing you. Using a pair of sturdy kitchen shears like this one (affiliate link) cut out the backbone by cutting along both sides of the spine, and remove it. Push down on the breasts to flatten the chicken. Flip the bird over and remove the wing tips.
• Season the chicken. Pat chicken dry and season with salt all over, lift the skin and apply salt underneath.
• Mix the marinade. In a small bowl, mix together the marinade ingredients (olive oil, lemon juice, oregano, thyme, spices, and minced garlic cloves).
• Apply the marinade to the chicken. Place the chicken in a large dish (with sides so that the marinade does not spill). Apply the majority of the marinade underneath the chicken skins (this will ensure best flavor), and be sure to rub some of the marinade on the back side of the chicken as well. Keep the chicken flat with skin side up. Marinate in the fridge for 2 to 4 hours.
• Grill. Preheat an outdoor grill over medium-high (400 degrees F) and make sure to lightly oil the grates. Place the chicken over indirect heat (this means, the burner or burners directly below the chicken should be turned off, while the outer burners surrounding it should remain on. Watch the video to see how Adam does this). Cover and cook for 45 minutes to 1 hour or until the chicken's internal temp reaches 165 degrees F. Check every few minutes, and if the chicken gains some color on one part, rotate as needed.
• Rest. Remove the chicken from the heat and set aside to rest for 10 minutes before slicing through to serve.

GRILLED MEDITERRANEAN-INSPIRED CITRUS CHICKEN THIGHS

Steps:

• Whisk olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, thyme, and pepper together in a bowl and pour into a resealable plastic bag. Add chicken thighs, coat with the marinade, squeeze out excess air, and seal the bag. Marinate in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to 1 hour.
• Preheat an outdoor grill for medium heat and lightly oil the grate.
• Remove chicken thighs from the marinade and shake off excess. Discard the remaining marinade.
• Cook until chicken is no longer pink in the center and the juices run clear, 4 to 7 minutes per side. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).

MEDITERRANEAN STYLE GRILLED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Combine all ingredients, except olive oil and chicken into food processor and puree untill smooth.
• With food processor running, drizzle in olive oil.
• Clean and rinse chicken and place in zip top bag.
• Add marinade to plastic bag. Mix to thoroughly cover chicken and let sit for 1 to 2 hours in refrigerator.
• Grill chicken. Spread extra marinade on chicken while grilling.

SICILIAN GRILL-ROASTED CHICKEN

Steps:

• For Mediterranean drizzle:
• garlic and 2 teaspoons coarse kosher salt in mortar with pestle or in small bowl with back of spoon until paste forms. Whisk in lemon juice, then oil. DO AHEAD: Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill. Bring to room temperature before using.
• For chicken:
• Whisk lemon juice, parsley, olive oil, garlic, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper in medium bowl. Place 1 whole chicken in each of 2 resealable plastic bags. Divide lemon marinade between bags. Seal bags, releasing excess air. Turn to coat chicken with marinade. Chill chicken at least 1 hour and up to 1 day, turning bag occasionally.
• Prepare barbecue ( medium heat). If using 2-burner gas grill, light 1 burner. If using 3-burner gas grill, do not light center burner. If using charcoal grill, light briquettes in chimney and pour onto 1 side of lower grill rack (you'll need to light more briquettes in chimney to replenish during grilling). Remove chickens from marinade.
• Sprinkle chickens inside and out with salt and pepper. Tie legs together. Place chickens, breast side down, over unlit side of grill. Cover and grill chickens 45 minutes, adjusting gas levels if using gas grill or adjusting vents and adding more charcoal as needed if using charcoal grill to maintain barbecue temperature between 350°F and 400°F. Turn chickens breast side up. Cover and grill until instant-read thermometer inserted into thickest part of thigh registers 165°F., continuing to maintain barbecue temperature between 350°F and 400°F, about 35 minutes longer. Transfer chickens to work surface; let rest 10 minutes.
• Carve chickens and transfer to platter. Arrange Grilled Lemons, Baby Artichokes, and Eggplant around chickens. Spoon some of Mediterranean drizzle over chicken and vegetables. Garnish with grilled lemons for squeezing over.