MEDITERRANEAN GRILLED CHICKEN WITH GREEN OLIVE SALSA VERDE

Mediterranean Grilled Chicken with Green Olive Salsa Verde image

Provided by Bobby Flay

Time 3h50m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 17

1/2 cup brine from green olives, such as Picholine or Castelvetrano
1/4 cup pure olive oil
1/4 cup coarsely chopped fresh oregano, plus more for garnish
6 oil-packed anchovy fillets, finely chopped
4 cloves garlic, chopped to a paste
Zest and juice of 2 lemons
1 small Spanish onion, halved and thinly sliced
One 3 1/2- to 4-pound chicken, cut into 8 pieces (drumsticks, thighs and halved breasts with wings removed)
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 cup finely chopped pitted green olives, such as Picholine or Castelvetrano
1/2 cup finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
1/4 cup chopped fresh mint
1 large clove garlic, chopped to a paste
Zest and juice of 1/2 lemon
Freshly ground black pepper
Pinch red chile flakes, optional

Steps:

For the chicken: Whisk together the olive brine, olive oil, oregano, anchovies, garlic, lemon zest and juice and onions in a bowl. Put the chicken in a resealable plastic bag and add the marinade. Evenly coat, press out air, seal and place in a large bowl or dish. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours and up to 8 hours.
For the salsa verde: Combine the olive oil, olives, parsley, mint, garlic, lemon zest and juice, black pepper and chile pepper if using in a bowl. Let sit for at least 30 minutes at room temperature.
Remove the chicken from the marinade. Let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before grilling.
Prepare the grill for medium-low heat. Sprinkle the chicken lightly with salt and pepper. Place on the grill skin-side down and cook slowly until the fat is rendered and the skin begins to turn crispy and golden brown. Flip and continue grilling until the meat registers 155 degrees F on an instant read thermometer, about 20 minutes total for the smaller breast pieces and 30 for the drumsticks and thighs. Serve with the green olive salsa verde.