Portuguese Grilled Chicken Recipe
Portuguese Grilled Chicken is a succulent and flavorful dish featuring a whole chicken marinated in a zesty blend of olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, smoked paprika, and fresh herbs. This recipe highlights the traditional grilling method that imparts a delicious smoky char and juicy interior, perfect for a casual barbecue or a festive meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes (grilling) or 45 minutes (oven roasting)
- Total Time: 2 hours 40 minutes (including 2-hour minimum marinating time)
- Yield: Serves 4 to 6 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Portuguese
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 1 whole chicken (about 3 to 4 pounds)
Marinade
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)
- 1 tablespoon fresh oregano, chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
- 1/4 cup white wine vinegar
Instructions
- Butterfly the chicken: Remove the backbone from the whole chicken and flatten it by pressing down firmly. Pat the chicken dry thoroughly with paper towels to ensure the marinade adheres properly.
- Prepare the marinade: In a large bowl, combine olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, paprika, smoked paprika, salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper if using, fresh oregano, fresh parsley, and white wine vinegar. Stir until well mixed.
- Marinate the chicken: Rub the marinade all over the chicken, making sure to coat it evenly on all sides. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, though marinating overnight will infuse deeper flavors.
- Preheat the grill: Set your grill to medium-high heat. If you prefer oven cooking, preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Grill the chicken: Place the chicken skin side down on the grill. Grill for 10 to 12 minutes until the skin starts to crisp. Flip and continue grilling for 15 to 20 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C).
- Oven roasting alternative: Place the marinated chicken in a roasting pan and bake in the preheated oven for 40 to 45 minutes, flipping halfway through to ensure even cooking.
- Rest and serve: Remove the cooked chicken from the grill or oven and let it rest for 10 minutes to allow juices to redistribute. Garnish with additional fresh parsley and serve hot.
Notes
- Butterflying the chicken ensures even cooking and quicker grilling time.
- For extra smoky flavor, consider using a charcoal grill instead of gas.
- The cayenne pepper is optional; omit if you prefer a milder dish.
- Letting the chicken rest after cooking helps keep it juicy and tender.
- If you don’t have fresh oregano or parsley, dried can be substituted but reduce quantities by half.
- This recipe works well with bone-in, skin-on chicken pieces if not using a whole bird.
Keywords: Portuguese grilled chicken, grilled chicken recipe, Portuguese marinade, smoked paprika chicken, BBQ chicken
Find it online: https://yumwithmia.com/portuguese-grilled-chicken-recipe/
