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Father’s Day Special: Grilled Brick Chicken

This Father’s Day, turn up the heat and fire up the grill for a dish that’s just as strong and bold as Dad himself — Grilled Brick Chicken. This technique, where a whole butterflied chicken is grilled under the weight of a brick (or cast-iron pan), creates extra-crispy skin, smoky flavor, and tender, juicy meat. It’s rustic, impressive, and surprisingly easy to pull off.
Prep Time25 minutes
Cook Time30 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Father’s Day, Grilled Chicken, Crispy Skin, Bold Flavors, BBQ, Backyard Cooking
Servings: 4
Cost: 200

Ingredients

  • 1 whole chicken about 1.5 kg, spatchcocked (backbone removed and flattened)
  • 3 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tbsp garlic powder
  • 1 tbsp fresh rosemary or thyme chopped
  • Zest and juice of 1 lemon
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 –4 bricks wrapped in foil or a heavy cast-iron skillet

Instructions

Marinate the Chicken:

  • In a bowl, mix olive oil, lemon zest and juice, smoked paprika, garlic powder, herbs, salt, and pepper. Rub this mixture all over the spatchcocked chicken, making sure to get under the skin too. Cover and marinate in the fridge for at least 1 hour or overnight for best flavor.

Preheat the Grill:

  • Heat your grill to medium-high. If using charcoal, create a two-zone setup (one hot side, one cooler side).

Grill Under Pressure:

  • Place the chicken skin-side down on the grill. Carefully place the foil-wrapped bricks or skillet on top to press it down. Grill for 15–20 minutes, checking occasionally to prevent burning.

Flip & Finish:

  • Flip the chicken, remove the weight, and cook the other side for another 15–20 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 75°C (165°F).

Rest & Serve:

  • Let the chicken rest for 5–10 minutes before cutting. Slice into portions and serve hot.

🍽️ Serving Suggestions

  • Grilled corn on the cob with chili-lime butter
  • Charred veggies or herbed potatoes
  • Dad’s favorite BBQ sauce or chimichurri
  • Ice-cold beer or a bold red wine to match the smokiness

💪 Why Dad Will Love It

  • Crispy skin and juicy meat
  • Smoky, bold flavors that shout grill master
  • Manly, rustic presentation straight from the fire
  • Perfect for backyard feasting and bonding