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Tuscan-Style Chicken Under a Brick (Pollo al Mattone)*
* Recipe by Steven Raichlen from his book, Planet Barbecue
• 3 cloves garlic, coarsely chopped
• 2 Tablespoons stemmed fresh rosemary leaves, plus the remainder of the bunch for serving (optional)
• 2 Tablespoons stemmed fresh sage leaves, plus the remainder of the bunch for serving (optional)
• 2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
• 1/2 cup coarse salt (kosher or sea)
• 4 whole baby chickens, poussins, or game hens (each 1 to 1 1/4 pounds), or 2 whole chickens (each 3 1/2 to 4 pounds) 1/2 cup of the best quality extra-virgin olive oil, for serving
• 2 lemons, cut into wedges, for serving
• You'll also need 2 to 4 bricks wrapped in aluminum foil or metal grill presses
Place the garlic, 2 Tablespoons each of chopped rosemary and sage, and the pepper in a food processor fitted with a metal chopping blade and run the machine in short bursts to finely chop.
Add the salt and process to mix. Transfer the rub to a jar with a tight-fitting lid. This makes about a cup of herbed salt rub, more than you'll need for this recipe.
The leftover rub is also excellent for seasoning veal, pork, and pheasant and will keep for several weeks in the refrigerator.
Remove and discard the fat just inside the neck and body cavities of the chickens. Remove the packages of giblets and set them aside for another use. Rinse the chickens, inside and out, under cold running water, then drain and blot them dry, inside and out, with paper towels.
Spatchcock the chickens--I have attached a Steven Raichlen video demonstrating this method, below.
Generously season the birds on both sides with the herbed salt rub.
The direct grilling method is traditional, but using the indirect method will give you a crisp, moist bird without the risk of flare-ups or burning.
If you are using the direct method, set up the grill for direct grilling and preheat it to medium. Leave one section of the grill bare for a safety zone. When ready to cook, brush and oil the grill grate.
Arrange the birds skin side down on the hot grate at a diagonal to the bars. Place the bricks or grill presses on top of the birds.Grill the chickens until they are crisp and golden brown on the bottom, 8 to 12 minutes, per side for baby chickens; 12 to 20 minutes per side for full-size chickens.
Use an instant-read meat thermometer to test for doneness, inserting it into the thickest part of a thigh but not so that it touches a bone. The internal temperature should be about 170°F.
Give each bird a quarter turn after 4 minutes on each side to create a handsome crosshatch of grill marks.
If you are using the indirect method, set up the grill for indirect grilling, place a drip pan in the center, and preheat the grill to medium. Arrange the birds skin side up in the center of the grate over the drip pan and away from the heat and place the weights on top. Cover the grill and cook the birds until golden brown and cooked through, 30 to 40 minutes for baby chickens; 40 minutes to 1 hour for full-size chickens.
Line a platter or plates with the remaining rosemary and sage sprigs (this step is optional, but it looks great and it adds a fantastic flavor). Place the grilled birds on top, generously drizzle olive oil over them, and serve with lemon wedges.
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I hope you all enjoy this recipe as much as we did. This will be a repeat meal on our grill! Let me know how you like it!
