Lemon Oregano Greek Grilled Chicken Food

LEMON OREGANO GREEK GRILLED CHICKEN

Steps:

• In a large measuring cup grate 2 t zest from 1 of the lemons. Split that lemon in half and squeeze 3 T juice into the cup. Add garlic and oregano. Whisking constantly slowly drizzle in olive oil to make a vinaigrette. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Pat chicken dry and place breast side down on large cutting board. Using sharp kitchen scissors, remove the backbone by cutting along either side of it. Turn chicken over and lay flat. Press firmly on breast to flatten the chicken. For added stability run one metal skewer through one thigh and through the breast. Do the same on the other side. Tuck wing tips behind back. Season generously with salt and pepper.
• Pour half of vinaigrette into a large zip lock bag. Add chicken and massage vinaigrette into the chicken. Let marinate as long as you can.
• If using charcoal start it now. If using gas which is what I have, preheat covered grill for 10 minutes at highest heat. Turn off half of the burners and place chicken on the cooler side of the grill with legs facing towards the hotter side. Cover grill. Cook until thermometer inserted into deepest part of the breast reads 120, about 30-45 minutes.
• Carefully flip chicken and place skin side down on the hotter side of the grill with breasts pointed towards cooler side. Reduce heat to medium low. Press down firmly with a large spatula to increase contact between the bird and grill grates-to ensure a crispy skin. Cover and cook until thermometer registers 145 to 150, about 10 minutes longer. If chicken is not cooked all the way slide to cooler part of grill and cook until done. Do not leave lid off through this entire process unless checking temperature. If you do it will take longer to cook.
• I also grilled some peppers and onions to go with my chicken. Add these if you'd like. When you remove the chicken from the grill add split lemon halves and place cut side down on the hotter part of the grill. Grill until well browned. Carve chicken and drizzle with remaining vinaigrette. Squeeze grilled lemon halves over and serve.

LEMON AND OREGANO POUNDED CHICKEN

Steps:

• In a large resealable plastic bag, add the lemon zest and juice, oregano, 1 1/4 teaspoons salt and 1 tablespoon of the oil. Massage the bag to combine the ingredients. Add the chicken breasts, seal the bag and massage the marinade evenly into the chicken. Lay the bag flat with the chicken breasts all flat in the bag and let the air out of the bag. Using a small skillet, flat mallet or even the heel of your hand, pound the chicken to flatten slightly. It should be 1/2 to 3/4 inch thick. Marinate in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours and up to 10 hours.
• Remove the chicken from the refrigerator 15 minutes before cooking.
• Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon oil to the hot skillet and swirl to coat the bottom. Add the chicken, smooth side down, and place something heavy on top of the chicken (a brick wrapped in aluminum foil or small cast-iron skillet works well here). Cook until deep golden brown on the first side, about 5 minutes. Remove the weight and flip the chicken. Continue to cook on the second side until it is firm to the touch and an instant-read thermometer inserted in the thickest part reads 160 degrees F, about 5 minutes more. Remove to a plate to rest. Add 1/3 cup of water to the skillet to deglaze. Pour the juices over the rested chicken to serve.

GRILLED CHICKEN WITH LEMON, GARLIC, AND OREGANO

Steps:

• Whisk together lemon juice, oregano, garlic, 1/2 tablespoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper in a large bowl and add oil in a slow stream, whisking.
• Discard excess fat from chicken and season with remaining 1 1/2 tablespoons salt and 1 1/2 teaspoons pepper.
• To cook chicken using a charcoal grill:
• Open vents on bottom of grill and on lid. Light a large chimney starter of charcoal briquettes (80 to 100) and pour them evenly over 1 side of bottom rack (you will have a double or triple layer of briquettes).
• When charcoal turns grayish white (15 to 20 minutes) and you can hold your hand 5 inches above rack for 3 to 4 seconds, sear chicken legs in 3 batches on lightly oiled grill rack over coals, uncovered, turning once, until well browned, 6 to 8 minutes total, then transfer as cooked to a tray.
• Put all browned legs on side of grill with no coals underneath and cook, covered with lid, turning occasionally, until just cooked through (flesh will no longer be pink when cut near joint), 15 to 25 minutes more. Transfer legs to bowl with lemon dressing and turn to coat, then transfer to a serving platter and keep warm, loosely covered with foil, while cooking breasts.
• Add 15 briquettes evenly to coals and wait until they just light, about 5 minutes. (They will not be grayish white yet but will give off enough heat with other briquettes to maintain correct cooking temperature.)
• Sear chicken breasts, starting with skin sides down, in 2 batches on rack over coals, uncovered, turning once, until well browned, 6 to 8 minutes total, then transfer as cooked to tray.
• Put all browned chicken breasts on side of grill with no coals underneath and cook, covered with lid, turning occasionally, until just cooked through (the meat next to the tender, when opened slightly, will be moist but no longer pink), 12 to 15 minutes more. Transfer breasts to bowl with lemon dressing and turn to coat, then transfer to platter with legs.
• Grill lemon slices on rack over coals, uncovered, until grill marks appear, about 3 minutes on each side, and transfer to platter with chicken.
• To cook chicken using a gas grill:
• Preheat all burners on high, then adjust heat to moderately high. Turn off 1 burner and arrange chicken legs on lightly oiled rack above it. Cook, covered with lid, turning legs once, until cooked through, about 40 minutes total. Transfer legs to bowl with lemon dressing and turn to coat, then transfer to a serving platter and keep warm, loosely covered with foil, while cooking breasts.
• Cook chicken breasts on rack above unlit burner, covered with lid, turning once, until just cooked through (the meat next to the tender, when opened slightly, will be moist but no longer pink), about 30 minutes total. Transfer breasts to bowl with lemon dressing and turn to coat, then transfer to platter with legs.
• Grill lemon slices on rack over flames, uncovered, until grill marks appear, about 3 minutes on each side, and transfer to platter with chicken.

LEMON-OREGANO CHICKEN

Steps:

• Grate 1 1/2 teaspoons peel from lemon. Cut lemon in half. Cut 2 slices from 1 half; reserve slices. Squeeze enough juice from remaining half to measure 1 teaspoon. Place peel into small bowl. Add 2 tablespoons parsley, oregano and pepper. Place garlic on cutting board. Sprinkle 1/2 teaspoon salt over and chop garlic very finely. Add garlic mixture to seasonings in small bowl. Run fingers between chicken and skin to loosen skin (do not remove skin). Spread generous 1/2 tablespoon seasoning mixture under skin of each chicken breast. Rub outside of chicken with oil; season with salt and pepper. For sauce, mix yogurt and 1 teaspoon lemon juice into remaining seasoning mixture.
• Preheat broiler or prepare barbecue (medium-high heat). Broil chicken until cooked through, about 12 minutes per side. Arrange chicken on plates. Garnish with lemon slices and remaining 1 tablespoon parsley. Serve with yogurt sauce.

GRILLED GREEK LEMON OREGANO CHICKEN WINGS

Steps:

• Place thawed chicken wings into gallon size zip top bag.
• Combine olive oil, lemon juice, oregano, garlic, salt and pepper in a small mixing bowl. Pour over chicken pieces and seal bag. Refrigerate chicken pieces for at least two hours, turning over at least once during this time.
• Preheat gas grill on high for five minutes.
• Remove chicken pieces from marinade and place onto baking sheet lined with paper towels. Discard excess marinade.
• Turn inside burners to medium low while leaving outside burners on high. Place chicken pieces on middle of grill skin side up. Cover and cook for 7 minutes. Turn pieces over and cook for another 5-7 minutes or until meat thermometer indicates 170 degrees F.
• Serve while hot and juicy! Enjoy!

GRILLED GREEK LEMON CHICKEN

Steps:

• Combine olive oil, lemon juice, and oregano; pour over halved chicken in a large glass baking dish. Sprinkle chicken on both sides with sea salt and black pepper. Place in refrigerator and marinate for 2 or so hours. Turn chicken at least once during marinating process.
• Preheat gas grill on medium high for five minutes. Place chicken skin side down on middle of grill and turn off inner burners so that heat is indirect. Turn chicken when skin is nicely browned and continue to cook for 1-2 hours or until meat thermometer registers 170 deg F. Remove from heat, cover loosely with foil and let sit for 5 minutes before serving.

CROCK POT LEMON OREGANO (GREEK) CHICKEN

Steps:

• Add chicken stock to crock pot.
• Wash the chicken and add to crock pot.
• Add lemon juice to chicken, save the skins.
• Rub spices all over chicken and inside.
• Add lemon skins to chicken cavity.
• Cook on High 4-6 hours Low 6-8 (This depends heavily on your crockpot's settings, adjust if necessary).

GRILLED CHICKEN WITH LEMON AND OREGANO

Steps:

• Make marinade: In a small bowl, whisk together lemon zest and juice, oregano, oil, 2 teaspoons coarse salt, and 1 teaspoon pepper. Divide marinade between 2 large resealable plastic bags. Place 2 chicken halves in each bag; shake to coat. Let marinate at room temperature 30 minutes, turning bags occasionally.
• Preheat grill to medium; lightly oil grates. Remove chicken from marinade, and pat dry with paper towels. Place chicken, skin side up, on grill. Cover and cook, until lightly browned and cooked through, about 20 minutes. Turn chicken over; cover and cook until well browned, 10 to 15 minutes (an instant-read thermometer should register 175 degrees when inserted into thickest part of meat, avoiding bone). If chicken is browning too quickly, move to cooler parts of grill or turn grill to low heat.
• Transfer chicken to a cutting board. Tent with foil; let rest 10 minutes. Meanwhile, place lemon halves on grill, cut side down; cook until slightly charred, 8 to 10 minutes. Cut chicken pieces in half; serve with grilled lemon halves, and, if desired, garnish with oregano sprigs.