Recipes

Chicken Under a Brick with Avocados and Chiles

1 Mins read
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Introduction

Chicken Under a Brick with Avocados and Chiles presents an exquisite culinary fusion where traditional flavors meet innovative presentation. This dish is more than just food; it’s an experience that tantalizes the taste buds while providing comfort through familiar ingredients.

Tips for this recipe

  • For best results, ensure your chicken is patted dry before seasoning and searing to achieve a crispy skin.
  • Utilize the cast-iron skillet or brick as suggested in the recipe for optimal heat distribution and cooking.

Why you will love this recipe

This unique dish captivates with its rustic charm and bold flavors. It’s a celebration of Mexican cuisine infused with contemporary cooking techniques, offering a memorable meal that promises to impress family and friends alike.

Ingredients

1 3 1/2-4-pound chicken, backbone removed

(Rest of the ingredient list)

Adviced equipment

  • T-fal Fan Forced Convection Oven
  • Le Creuset 6.5 Quart Dutch Oven
  • Williams-Sonoma Artisan Pullman Pan Set

History of the recipe

Chicken Under a Brick has its roots in various international cuisines, but this particular adaptation marries Mexican elements with a contemporary cooking technique. The use of an oven brick to encase and steam the chicken dates back to traditional methods for imparting moisture while searing it underneath, ensuring succulent meat.

Fun facts about this recipe

Did you know? The method of cooking under a brick isn’t exclusive to Chicken Under a Brick; it’s used in various cultures worldwide. This dish is also an excellent example of the culinary artistry behind using every part of your produce—avocados and chiles are key not just for taste but nutrition.

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Chicken Under a Brick with Avocados and Chiles

Chicken Under a Brick with Avocados and Chiles

amanda

Equipment

  • T-fal Fan Forced Convection Oven - Essential for baking or broiling the chicken under the brick.

  • Le Creuset 6.5 Quart Dutch Oven - Can be used for slow cooking, searing chicken breasts, and fits in an oven.

  • Williams-Sonoma Artisan Pullman Pan Set - A unique baking rack that helps achieve the "under a brick" presentation with ingredents beneath it.

  • Nordic Ware Half Size Aluminum Rimmed Roasting Pan (21 x 15 inches) - Useful for roasting vegetables or preparing sides.

  • OXO Good Grips Stainless Steel Assorted Size Flexible Plastic Bowls - Essential for mixing marinades, avocado salsa, and ingredient prep.

  • ZGMA Professional Grade Bamboo Cutting Board Set - Necessary for cutting and assembling dish components safely.

  • Wüsthof Classic Series 8-Inch Gourmet Chef’s Knife - Versatile tool for chopping ingredients like avocados and vegetables.

  • Cuisinart Compact Stainless Steel Food Processor with Compressor and Sieve - Useful for making salsas or dough.

  • OXO Good Grips 12-Piece Metal Measuring Cup & Spoon Set - For accurately measuring ingredients such as spices or liquids.

  • The OXO Good Grips Silicone Baking Mat Non-Stick Cooking Mat (Optional) - Can be used for baking on a nonstick surface without additional oils.

Ingredients

  • 1 3 1/2-4-pound chicken, backbone removed

  • 1 tablespoon kosher salt plus more

  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper plus more for seasoning

  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

  • 4 tablespoons olive oil, divided

  • 2 tablespoons finely grated lemon zest

  • 3 tablespoons fresh rosemary leaves

  • 1 large fresh poblano chile, quartered, seeded

  • 1 large red bell pepper, quartered, seeded

  • 1 red onion, cut into 1/2" slices

  • 1/4 cup (or more) red wine vinegar

  • 2 garlic cloves, sliced

  • 1 cup fresh basil leaves

  • 4 avocados, halved and pitted

  • 1/4 teaspoon chili powder

  • Ingredient info: Poblano chiles are available at Latin markets, specialty foods stores, and some supermarkets.

  • One brick, wrapped in foil, or a cast-iron skillet

Instructions

1

Instruction 1

Open chicken and place on a work surface, skin side up. Using your palms, firmly press on breastbone to flatten the breast. Season chicken all over with 1 tablespoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, and cayenne. Place in a baking dish; rub with 1 tablespoon oil, sprinkle with lemon zest, and scatter rosemary over. Let stand at room temperature for 1 hour.
2

Instruction 2

Build a medium-low fire in a charcoal grill, or heat a gas grill to medium. Place chicken, skin side down, on grill and place a brick or heavy skillet on top of chicken to weigh it down. (This will expose more skin to direct heat, making it crispy; the chicken will also cook faster.) Cook until skin is crispy and golden brown, about 15 minutes.
3

Instruction 3

Using tongs, set brick aside. Turn chicken, cover grill, and cook for 10 more minutes. Continue cooking and turning chicken every 10 minutes, covering grill between turns, until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh registers 165°F, about 50 minutes total. Transfer to a carving board; let chicken rest for 10-20 minutes. (Resting will make for juicier meat.)
4

Instruction 4

While chicken rests, add more coals to fire if necessary to increase heat to medium, or heat gas grill to medium-high. Season chile, bell pepper, and onion with salt and pepper. Grill (or use a grill basket) over medium heat, turning occasionally, until softened and charred in spots, about 12 minutes. Transfer onion to a medium bowl. Transfer chiles and peppers to a work surface and cut lengthwise into 1" slices. Add to bowl with onion. Add 1/4 cup vinegar to vegetables and toss to coat.
5

Instruction 5

Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a small skillet over medium-low heat. Add garlic and cook until soft but not browned, about 4 minutes. Add basil and stir to wilt. Add basil mixture to bowl with onion. Season vegetables to taste with salt and more vinegar, if desired.
6

Instruction 6

Rub cut side of avocados with remaining 1 tablespoon oil, season with salt, and sprinkle with chili powder. Grill, cut side down, until avocado is gently warmed and flesh is golden brown, about 3 minutes. Serve chicken with vegetables and avocados.
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