Description
Mediterranean grilled chicken emerges as a flavorful culinary journey through Greece’s sun-drenched landscapes. Marinated in herbs, lemon, and olive oil, this dish promises a delightful blend of zesty and savory notes you’ll crave again.
Ingredients
Scale
- 20 large chicken drumsticks
- 6 tbsps (90 mL) harissa paste
- ¼ cup (60 mL) extra virgin olive oil
- 15 garlic cloves, chopped
- 1 large red onion, sliced
- Juice of 2 large limes or lemons
- 1½ tsp sumac
- 1 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- Kosher salt
- Black pepper
Instructions
- Marinade Preparation: Blend garlic, harissa paste, nutmeg, sumac, thyme, and citrus juice in a food processor. Gradually incorporate olive oil until achieving a smooth, cohesive mixture.
- Chicken Preparation: Thoroughly dry drumsticks with kitchen towels, then season comprehensively with salt and black pepper, ensuring complete coverage.
- Marinating Process: Submerge chicken in the prepared marinade within a spacious non-reactive container, massaging thoroughly to guarantee deep flavor penetration. Intersperse thinly sliced onions throughout the meat. Refrigerate for a minimum of 4 hours or overnight, allowing flavors to meld completely.
- Grill Setup: Preheat outdoor grill to a medium heat zone of 375-400 degrees Fahrenheit. Remove chicken from marinade, gently shaking off excess liquid, and arrange drumsticks on grill grates with sufficient spacing for uniform cooking.
- Grilling Technique: Rotate drumsticks every 8 minutes to ensure consistent heat distribution. Cook for 35-40 minutes, monitoring until internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Discard remaining marinade and onions after cooking.
- Serving: Present the grilled drumsticks with complementary side dishes, providing napkins for convenient dining.
Notes
- Prevent Cross-Contamination: Always use separate cutting boards and utensils for raw chicken to avoid harmful bacteria spread.
- Maximize Flavor Infusion: Massage marinade thoroughly under chicken skin to ensure deep, rich flavor penetration throughout the meat.
- Monitor Grill Temperature: Maintain consistent medium heat between 375-400°F to achieve perfectly charred exterior without burning chicken.
- Rest Meat After Grilling: Allow chicken to rest for 5-10 minutes after cooking to redistribute juices, ensuring tender and succulent meat.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 21
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg