Barbecue Grilled Chicken Sicilian Style

Ingredients: Serves 6 to 8.

For the Dressing:

• 1 large garlic clove, pressed
• 2 teaspoons coarse kosher salt
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 6 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

 

For the Chicken:

• 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh Italian parsley
• 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 6 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• Two 3 and 1/2 to 4-pound free-range chickens
• Grilled lemons, baby artichokes, and eggplant

 

Directions:

Prepare the Dressing:

1. Mash garlic and 2 teaspoons coarse kosher salt in mortar with pestle or in small bowl with back of spoon until paste forms.
2. Whisk in lemon juice, then olive oil.

 

Prepare the Chicken:

1. Whisk lemon juice, parsley, olive oil, garlic, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper in medium bowl.
2. Place 1 whole chicken in each of 2 resealable plastic bags.
3. Divide the lemon marinade between bags.
4. Seal bags, releasing excess air.
5. Turn to coat chicken with marinade.
6. Chill chicken at least 1 hour and up to 1 day, turning bag occasionally.
7. Prepare barbecue at 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).
8. Remove chickens from marinade.
9. Sprinkle chickens inside and out with salt and pepper.
10. Tie legs together.
11. Place chickens, breast side down, over unlit side of grill.
12. 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.
13. Turn chickens breast side up.
14. 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.
15. Transfer chickens to work surface; let rest 10 minutes.
16. Carve chickens and transfer to platter.
17. Arrange grilled lemons, baby artichokes, and eggplant around chickens.
18. Spoon some of dressing over chicken and vegetables.
19. Garnish with grilled lemons for squeezing over.
    

That’s it!