Recipe

Spice Rubbed Chicken Under a Brick with Lemon, Mint and Cilantro

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Spice Rubbed Chicken Under a Brick with Lemon, Mint and Cilantro

Photo by TasteFood

  • This recipe was entered in the contest for Your Best Roast Chicken
  • Chef

    TasteFood's Notes: Chicken under a Brick is a surefire way to ensure even, quick cooking. The key is to weigh down the chicken while it cooks so that more surface area will be in direct contact with the heat...

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Serves 4

  1. Combine garlic, coriander, mint, one teaspoon salt, and lemon zest in a mortar with pestle. Smash to a paste. Add 3 tablespoons olive oil and stir to combine.

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  2. Rub chicken all over both sides with paste, including between skin and breast meat. Place on a tray or platter and cover loosely with plastic wrap. Refrigerate at least 2 hours and up to 6 hours. Remove from refrigerator 30 minutes before roasting.

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  3. Preheat oven to 475 F. Mix one teaspoon salt, paprika, cumin and black pepper together in a small bowl. Rub chicken all over with spice rub.

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  4. Heat one tablespoon olive oil in an oven-proof skillet over medium-high heat. Place chicken, skin-side down, in skillet. Place 1-2 bricks wrapped in foil (or cast iron pan or Dutch oven) over chicken.

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  5. Cook chicken over medium-high heat without moving brick until well browned, 10 minutes, occasionally rotating skillet to ensure even cooking. Remove from heat and remove brick.

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  6. Carefully turn chicken over in the skillet with a largy heavy-weight spatula or tongs, without piercing the skin. Transfer to oven (without brick). Bake until done, about 20-30 minutes, depending on size of chicken. Let rest, covered loosely with foil, 10 minutes before carving.

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Img_0423 Reply

Looks yummy! I'll have to give this a try...

Winnie100 Reply

I love all the flavors you've used here and I am totally inspired to go find that brick...

Steve_dunn02 Reply

I have NEVER cooked chicken under a brick, don't ask me why, because whenever I've had it I've loved it. This recipe sounds fabulous....time to find a suitable brick.

Dsc_0019_2 Reply

I love chicken under a brick, it is such a great way to cook it. Great recipe!

Green_apple_card Reply

Thanks Kelsey!

Chocolate_peppermint_truffle_cookies_032 Reply

I grill chicken under a couple bricks all through the summer and it's always a hit. I love all the crispy skin you can get from cooking it this way and your herb paste is right up my alley.

Img_0423 Reply

I wonder if you could do it on the grill like this?

Chocolate_peppermint_truffle_cookies_032 Reply

Definitely. All summer I do this on the grill.

Profile Reply

My dad makes grilled (on the BBQ) chicken under a brick, with a greek rub! It seriously is the best way to prepare chicken! Yours sounds delish!

Green_apple_card Reply

Thank you! I agree this is the best way to grill a chicken on the BBQ!

Img_0423 Reply

Oh, just saw this -- never mind!

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