Zesty Herb-Infused Grilled Chicken with Olive Salsa
Elevate your grilling game with this Zesty Herb-Infused Grilled Chicken. Marinated in a vibrant blend of fresh herbs, spices, and chilies, this recipe creates a deliciously juicy chicken that's bursting with flavor. Perfect for summer cookouts or family gatherings, this dish is not just about the chicken; it's complemented by a refreshing olive salsa that adds a delightful twist. Bring your taste buds on an adventure with every bite of this aromatic and spicy grilled chicken masterpiece!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
16
Ingredients
Ingredients
cumin seed
1 tablespoon (whole, ground)
coriander seed
1 tablespoon (whole, ground)
green peppercorns or black
2 tablespoons (whole)
ground cardamom
1 tablespoon (ground)
fresh parsley leaves and tender stems
1 cup (fresh, chopped)
mint leaf
1 cup (fresh, chopped)
oregano leaves
1 cup (fresh, chopped)
garlic cloves
5 cloves (peeled)
fresno chilies
2 (chopped)
kosher salt
1/3 cup
apple cider vinegar
1 cup
extra virgin olive oil
1/2 cup (divided)
whole chicken
1 (halved)
Castelvetrano olives or other green olives
1 cup (pitted, torn)
fresh lemon juice
1/4 cup
chopped parsley
3/4 cup (for mixing)
Instructions
1
Begin the marinade by blending the cumin seeds, coriander seeds, green peppercorns, and ground cardamom in a blender until finely ground. Add the fresh parsley, mint, oregano, garlic, chopped fresno chilies, kosher salt, apple cider vinegar, and 1/4 cup of the extra virgin olive oil. Blend until a thick pesto-like paste forms.
2
Place the halved whole chicken into a large resealable plastic bag. Pour the herb marinade over the chicken, seal the bag by pressing out as much air as possible. Refrigerate to marinate for a minimum of 3 hours, but for best results, allow to marinate up to 24 hours.
3
Prepare your grill for medium-high indirect heat. For charcoal, bank the coals on one side. For gas, leave one or two burners unlit. Clean the grill grates thoroughly and apply oil to prevent sticking. Place the marinated chickens skin-side up over the indirect heat and cover the grill, positioning the vent over the chicken to circulate heat evenly. Grill for 15-20 minutes, turning occasionally for even cooking.
4
After 15-20 minutes, flip the chickens and cover the grill again. Cook until the skin is deep golden brown, crispy, and an instant-read thermometer reads 160°F in the thickest part of the breast, about 20-25 minutes more.
5
Once cooked, transfer the chickens to a cutting board. Allow them to rest for at least 10 minutes before carving.
6
While the chicken is resting, prepare the olive salsa by combining the torn olives, fresh lemon juice, chopped parsley, the remaining 1/4 cup of extra virgin olive oil, and any juices that have accumulated from the chicken. Season with salt to taste.
7
To serve, arrange the carved chicken on a platter, generously top with the olive salsa, and garnish with additional parsley leaves.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the name of this recipe?
The recipe is Zesty Herb-Infused Grilled Chicken with Olive Salsa.
How long should the chicken marinate?
The chicken should marinate for a minimum of 3 hours, but up to 24 hours for best results.
What are the primary herbs used in the marinade?
The marinade uses fresh parsley, mint, and oregano.
What spices are needed for the herb marinade?
The marinade includes cumin seeds, coriander seeds, green peppercorns (or black), and ground cardamom.
What type of vinegar is used?
The recipe calls for apple cider vinegar.
What type of chilies are used in the marinade?
Two chopped Fresno chilies are used.
What is the consistency of the marinade?
The marinade should be blended until a thick pesto-like paste forms.
How should the chicken be prepared for grilling?
The recipe requires one whole chicken, halved.
What is the recommended grill heat setting?
The grill should be prepared for medium-high indirect heat.
How do I set up a gas grill for indirect heat?
Leave one or two burners unlit to create an indirect heat zone.
How do I set up a charcoal grill for indirect heat?
Bank the coals on one side of the grill.
Which side of the chicken should face up first?
Place the marinated chickens skin-side up over indirect heat first.
How long is the initial grilling period?
Grill for 15-20 minutes, turning occasionally.
What is the target internal temperature for the chicken?
The chicken is done when an instant-read thermometer reads 160°F in the thickest part of the breast.
How long does the second stage of grilling take?
After flipping, it takes about 20-25 minutes more for the skin to become crispy and golden brown.
How long should the chicken rest after grilling?
Allow the chicken to rest for at least 10 minutes before carving.
What are the ingredients in the olive salsa?
The salsa consists of torn olives, fresh lemon juice, chopped parsley, extra virgin olive oil, and accumulated chicken juices.
What type of olives are recommended?
Castelvetrano olives are recommended, though other green olives can be used.
How much garlic is used in the recipe?
The recipe uses 5 peeled garlic cloves.
What oil is used throughout the recipe?
Extra virgin olive oil is used in both the marinade and the salsa.
How much lemon juice is in the salsa?
The salsa uses 1/4 cup of fresh lemon juice.
What should be done with the spices before adding them to the pesto paste?
Cumin seeds, coriander seeds, and peppercorns should be blended until finely ground.
How should the grill vent be positioned?
Position the vent over the chicken to circulate heat evenly.
How do I prevent the chicken from sticking to the grill?
Clean the grill grates thoroughly and apply oil before placing the chicken.
What is the serving suggestion for the salsa?
Arrange the carved chicken on a platter and generously top with the olive salsa.
Is there a recommended garnish?
Yes, garnish the dish with additional parsley leaves.
What type of salt is specified?
The recipe calls for 1/3 cup of kosher salt.
How much total parsley is needed for the entire recipe?
The recipe uses 1 cup of parsley leaves and stems for the marinade and 3/4 cup chopped parsley for the salsa.
How are the olives prepared for the salsa?
The olives should be pitted and torn.
What makes this chicken 'zesty'?
The combination of fresh herbs, chilies, apple cider vinegar, and the lemon-based olive salsa provides the zesty flavor.