‘Fresh Garden Herb & Lemon’ marinade for butterflied chicken
Fresh garden herbs and a hint of lemon make a great combination for a tasty barbecue with friends.
Servings Prep Time
4-6servings 5minutes plus 2-4 hours to marinate
Cook Time
50-60minutes
Servings Prep Time
4-6servings 5minutes plus 2-4 hours to marinate
Cook Time
50-60minutes
Ingredients
  • 1handful thyme, leaves picked
  • 1handful rosemary,leaves picked (or use French tarragon if available)
  • finely grated zest and juice of 1 lemon
  • salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 3tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 lemonthinly sliced
  • 2 fresh bay leaves
  • 1.35kg Turk's free range chickenbutterflied, see tip (or cut into 4 pieces)
Instructions
  1. Roughly chop the thyme and rosemary leaves and place in a bowl. Add the lemon zest and juice and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Whisk in the olive oil.
  2. Place the chicken in a shallow ceramic dish. Pour marinade over the chicken and top with the thinly sliced lemon and bay leaves. Cover and place in the fridge for 2-4 hours.
  3. Meanwhile, preheat a lidded barbecue to 200°C.
  4. Remove the chicken from the fridge and bring back to room temperature, 20 minutes.
  5. Place chicken on barbecue and close the lid. Lower the temperature to medium-low. Barbecue chicken for 50-60 minutes or insert a skewer into the thickest part of the meat, when the juices run clear the chicken is cooked. (The chicken can be cooked in the oven at 180°C for 50-60 minutes).
  6. Remove chicken from the barbecue and place on a warmed plate. Cover loosely with foil or baking paper and a clean tea towel and leave to rest for 10-15 minutes before carving.
Recipe Notes

Suggested chicken

1.35kg Turk's free range chicken, butterflied

Alternative chicken

Turk's free range chicken drums (allow for less cooking time, about 30 minutes or until the juices run clear when pierced with a skewer)

Tips

How to butterfly a chicken

Using kitchen scissors or a sharp knife, cut down each side of the backbone. Remove backbone. Turn chicken breast-side-up and press firmly on the breastbone to flatten.

Barbecuing butterflied chicken

We suggest you check chicken after 45 minutes and baste chicken to keep moist.