If one were to ask what are classic Greek flavours, my mind goes to olive oil, lemon juice, garlic and oregano. That’s pretty much how we serve up chicken, be it roasted or on the grill.
Here, I am taking chicken thighs (I’m a leg man) and applying those classic Greek flavours with a some modern cooking technique – brining.
There’s wet brining (making a salty liquid solution to marinate meat) and there’s dry brining – today’s approach. The chicken thighs will be seasoned with salt and and sugar and splash of hard liquor. Put these three elements together and your chicken thighs will be juicy and very flavourful.
Ladies and gentlemen…start your grills!
Juicy Grilled Chicken Thighs
Course: Main, Meat u0026amp; Poultry4
servings2
hours25
minutesIngredients
8 chicken thighs, skin on ( bone in or boneless)
coarse sea salt or kosher salt
granulated sugar
Hard liquor (Ouzo, tsipouro, vodka, silver tequila)
extra virgin olive oil
4 cloves minced garlic
fresh ground pepper
dried Greek oregano
2 lemons, cut in half
Directions
- After removing the packaging, pat-dry your chicken and generously season both sides with salt, sugar and drizzle with liquor. Cover and place in the fridge for two hours (1 hour at room temperature).
- Remove from fridge and wipe the thighs dry. Drizzle with olive oil and cover all sites with minced garlic, pepper and dried Greek oregano
- Pre-heat your gas or charcoal grill to medium-high heat. Brush your grill surface clean, wipe with oil (so your meat doesn’t stick).
- Place your chicken on the grill, skin-side down and grill until some markings are made (about 8-10 minutes). Flip the chicken and cook for another 10-15 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 165F.
- Meanwhile, cut your lemons in half, drizzle open side with oil and place on your grill and cook until charred and caramelized. Remove and set aside.
- Place your chicken on a platter drizzle with extra virgin olive oil, a squeeze of lemon and sprinkle more dried Greek oregano. You may sprinkle with more sea salt if you like.
- Serve with a rice pilaf, or some potatoes.
Notes
- Cooking your chicken thighs with bone in will take longer to cook.
