Description
Classic whole roast chicken from Barefoot Contessa delivers pure comfort with crispy skin and juicy meat. Home cooks can easily master this simple, elegant dish that brings warmth to any dinner table.
Ingredients
Scale
- 900 grams / 2 lbs boneless chicken breasts, halved and skin removed
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon / 15 ml minced fresh thyme leaves (or ½ teaspoon / 2.5 ml dried thyme)
- 180 ml / 6 fl oz freshly squeezed lemon juice (4 lemons)
- 180 ml / 6 fl oz good olive oil
Instructions
- Marinade Creation: Whisk lemon juice, olive oil, kosher salt, black pepper, and thyme in a medium bowl until smoothly combined, creating a vibrant flavor base.
- Chicken Preparation: Thoroughly coat chicken in the marinade within a non-reactive container, refrigerate for 6-8 hours or overnight to allow deep flavor absorption and tenderization.
- Grilling Process: Heat charcoal grill to medium-high temperature, strategically place marinated chicken on grates, cooking 10-12 minutes per side until achieving a golden-brown crust and reaching an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C), ensuring complete and safe protein preparation.
- Serving Technique: Rest grilled chicken for 3-5 minutes to redistribute internal juices, then slice diagonally into uniform pieces and arrange on pre-soaked wooden skewers for an elegant and practical presentation.
Notes
- Marinade Magic: Create a flavor-packed marinade by whisking lemon juice, olive oil, salt, pepper, and thyme for maximum taste infusion.
- Marinating Mastery: Refrigerate chicken for 6-8 hours or overnight to allow deep flavor penetration and tenderize the meat.
- Grill Temperature Control: Maintain medium-high heat (around 375-400°F) to achieve perfect golden-brown exterior without burning.
- Resting Ritual: Allow grilled chicken to rest 3-5 minutes after cooking to redistribute juices, ensuring maximum tenderness and moisture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 0 g
- Sodium: 460 mg
- Fat: 36 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 30 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 2 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 34 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg