Spatchcocked Chimichurri Chicken
Earnest Roots Farm, Ashville, Alabama
by Josh Morrison
April 29, 2020
Ingredients:
- 1 whole 4-5 lb Sweet Grown Alabama chicken
- 1 cup of olive oil and/or butter
- 3-4 tbsp of red wine vinegar
- 2-3 tsp of lemon juice
- 6-7 sprigs of fresh oregano
- 1 bunch of fresh parsley
- A handful of fresh basil
- 6-7 cloves of garlic
- Salt & pepper to taste
Optional: Other herbs like tarragon, sage & rosemary
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Place all ingredients into a blender to make the chimichurri sauce or dice up with a knife.
- To cook 25 minutes faster: Spatch cock (butterfly) the chicken by removing the back bone (optional).
- Loosen the skin around the breast and thighs.
- Stuff the sauce under the skin and on the top of the chicken.
- Bake uncovered for 30 minutes.
- Lower the temperature to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and cook for 50-60 minutes basting every 15-20 minutes.
- Cook until the internal temperature is 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Remove and allow to rest 10-15 minutes before serving.
Another method:
- Preheat smoker to 225-250 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Use pecan, hickory or apple wood chips.
- Slow smoke the chicken for 3-4 hours until internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Remove and allow to rest 10-15 minutes before serving.