Name: Grilled Chicken with Chimichurri
Total time: 185 min
Ingredients: 8 cups water; 2 (5-ounce) oranges, quartered; 2 (2-ounce) lemons, quartered; 2 (1/4-ounce) chiles de árbol, cracked open; 1 bunch fresh flat-leaf parsley; 10 thyme sprigs; 8 bay leaves; 4 rosemary sprigs; 4 medium garlic cloves, smashed; 2 tablespoons kosher salt; 1 tablespoon black peppercorns; 2 (4-pound) whole chickens, split, backbones and wings removed and discarded or reserved for another use; 1 cup extra-virgin olive oil; 1 bunch fresh cilantro, stems removed and discarded; 1/2 bunch fresh flat-leaf parsley, stems removed and discarded; 3 tablespoons minced garlic; 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (from 2 lemons); 3 tablespoons finely chopped shallot (from 1 medium shallot); 2 1/4 teaspoons fresh oregano leaves; 1 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt; 1 1/2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar; 1 teaspoon crushed chile de árbol or other dried red chile flakes; 5 teaspoons paprika; 4 teaspoons kosher salt; 1 tablespoon ancho chile powder; 2 teaspoons dried Mexican oregano; 1 teaspoon chipotle chile powder

Grilled Chicken with Chimichurri — Photo: Victor Protasio

Active Time:

1 hrs 50 mins

Total Time:

3 hrs 5 mins

Yield:

Ingredients

CHICKEN

8 cups water
2 (5-ounce) oranges, quartered
2 (2-ounce) lemons, quartered
2 (1/4-ounce) chiles de árbol, cracked open
1 bunch fresh flat-leaf parsley
10 thyme sprigs
8 bay leaves
4 rosemary sprigs
4 medium garlic cloves, smashed
2 tablespoons kosher salt
1 tablespoon black peppercorns
2 (4-pound) whole chickens, split, backbones and wings removed and discarded or reserved for another use

CHIMICHURRI

1 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 bunch fresh cilantro, stems removed and discarded
1/2 bunch fresh flat-leaf parsley, stems removed and discarded
3 tablespoons minced garlic
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (from 2 lemons)
3 tablespoons finely chopped shallot (from 1 medium shallot)
2 1/4 teaspoons fresh oregano leaves
1 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 1/2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
1 teaspoon crushed chile de árbol or other dried red chile flakes

SPICE BLEND

5 teaspoons paprika
4 teaspoons kosher salt
1 tablespoon ancho chile powder
2 teaspoons dried Mexican oregano
1 teaspoon chipotle chile powder

Directions

Make the chicken

Combine 8 cups water, oranges, lemons, chiles, parsley, thyme, bay leaves, rosemary, garlic, salt, and peppercorns in a large stockpot. Bring to a boil over high. Cook, whisking occasionally, until salt dissolves and herbs are aromatic, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat; let cool completely, about 1 hour. Place chicken halves in mixture in stockpot. (Chicken should be fully submerged in liquid.) Cover and refrigerate 24 hours.

Make the chimichurri

Process all chimichurri ingredients in a blender or food processor until smooth, about 1 minute, stopping to scrape down sides as needed. Store in refrigerator in an airtight container until ready to use, up to 8 hours.

Make the chimichurri

Process all chimichurri ingredients in a blender or food processor until smooth, about 1 minute, stopping to scrape down sides as needed. Store in refrigerator in an airtight container until ready to use, up to 8 hours.

Make the spice blend

Stir together all spice blend ingredients in a small bowl until combined. Set aside.
Open bottom vent of a charcoal grill completely. Light 2 charcoal chimney starters filled with hardwood lump charcoal. When coals are hot, pour them evenly onto the 2 outer sides of grill, leaving center of grill unlit. Top each side of coals with an oak wood chunk. Adjust vents as needed to maintain an internal temperature of 300°F to 350°F. Coat top grate with oil; place on grill. (If using a gas grill, preheat to medium-low [300°F to 350°F] on outer burners, leaving middle burner[s] unlit.) Remove chicken from brine; discard brine, and pat chicken dry.
Place chicken, skin side up, on oiled grates over center portion of grill without coals (or unlit center portion of gas grill). Grill, uncovered, until a thermometer inserted in thickest portion of breasts registers 110°F, about 15 minutes, rotating chicken every 2 to 3 minutes to avoid burning. Flip chicken on grates; grill until skin is slightly caramelized and browned, about 3 minutes. Cover and grill until a thermometer inserted in thickest portion of breasts registers 150°F, about 25 minutes, flipping and rotating chicken every 5 minutes.
Sprinkle chicken all over with 2 tablespoons spice blend. Place chicken, skin side up, on grates. Grill, uncovered, until a thermometer inserted in thickest portion of breasts registers 155°F, 40 to 45 minutes. Remove chicken from grill, and cover loosely with aluminum foil. Let rest 15 minutes. Carve chicken. Sprinkle with additional spice blend to taste. Serve with chimichurri.

Suggested Pairing

Spicy Argentine Malbec