Chef's Recipes

Greek-style barbecued spatchcock with lemon and pepper

Don't be afraid of cooking this poultry. It grills beautifully on the barbecue.

By Jonathan Barthelmess
  • 5 mins preparation
  • 40 mins cooking
  • Serves 4
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"We use Thirlmere chickens and spatchcocks," says Jonathan Barthelmess of Greca and The Apollo. "They're so tender, have a good breast-to-thigh ratio, and cook beautifully over the barbecue."

Ingredients

  • 50 gm butter
  • 200 ml chicken stock
  • 1 head of garlic, halved
  • 2 spatchcocks (about 500gm each), butterflied
  • 50 ml extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 lemon, halved
  • Thinly sliced long red chilli in extra-virgin olive oil, to serve

Method

  • 1
    Preheat oven to 160°C and a barbecue or char-grill pan to high. Add butter, stock and garlic, cut-side down, to a flameproof roasting pan and roast for 20 minutes. Meanwhile, season spatchcock, drizzle with oil and grill, skin-side down first and turning once, until golden (2-3 minutes each side).
  • 2
    Transfer spatchcock, skin-side up, to roasting pan, add lemon, cut-side down, and roast until spatchcock is cooked and juices run clear when a thigh is pierced with a skewer (10-15 minutes).
  • 3
    Joint spatchcock with a sharp knife and transfer to a platter with roasted garlic and lemon. Spoon over roasting juices, season to taste with freshly ground pepper and serve with chilli in oil.

Notes

Drink suggestion: 2016 Alpha Estate Greek rosé. Drink suggestion by Sam Christie.

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