PORTUGUESE-STYLE BUTTERFLY CHICKEN
In collaboration with
Véronique Ouellet, Miss Papila
2-4
Portions
40 min
Prepping
1h30
Cooking
Recipe
Easy
Ingredients
- 1 whole Exceldor chicken (around 3.3 lb. / 1.5 kg)
CHICKEN
- 1 tbsp. (15 ml) smoked paprika
- 1 tbsp. (15 ml) paprika
- 1 tbsp. (15 ml) chili powder
- 1 tbsp. (15 ml) dried parsley
- 1 tbsp. (15 ml) coriander seeds
- 1 tbsp. (15 ml) coarse sea salt
- 1 tsp. (5 ml) black peppercorns
SAUCE
- 1 cup (250 ml) ketchup
- 1 cup (250 ml) canola oil
- 1 cup (250 ml) fresh cilantro
- 1 cup (250 ml) fresh Italian parsley
- 1 tbsp. (15 ml) smoked paprika
- 1 tbsp. (15 ml) paprika
- 1 tbsp. (15 ml) chili powder
- 1 to 2 cloves garlic
- 10 piri-piri peppers or 1 small bird’s eye chili
- Salt and freshly ground pepper
TO SERVE
- Green salad
Directions
Click the steps to erase them.
Chicken
Prepare the chicken the day before it will be cooked.- In a bowl, combine the smoked paprika, paprika, chili powder and parsley.
- In a mortar, grind the coriander seeds, sea salt and peppercorns.
- Add the ground spices to the powdered ones and mix well.
- Cut the chicken in half along the spine.
- Remove the spine, open the chicken completely and flatten it.
- Gently separate the skin from the meat.
- Take some of the spice mixture and put it directly on the meat (under the skin). Massage the chicken on top of the skin.
- Take the rest of the spice mixture and coat the chicken completely.
- Place the chicken in a large plastic storage bag.
- Refrigerate for 24 hours.
Sauce
- Blend all the ingredients together.
- Regarding the peppers or chilies, I suggest starting with a smaller amount than indicated and adjusting seasoning to taste.
- Set aside ¼ cup (60 ml) of the mixture in a bowl and pour the remaining amount in a small saucepan.
Cooking
- Put water in a disposable aluminum dish.
- Remove the barbecue grill and place the water dish on one side of the barbecue.
- Heat up the barbecue to 400°F (205°C).
- Use an indirect cooking method: turn off the burner on the water dish’s side and place the chicken, inside down (skin side up), on the grill above it.
- Close the lid.
- Brush the chicken with ¼ cup (60 ml) sauce every 20 minutes.
- Cook for 1½ hours until the chicken’s internal temperature reaches 185°F (85°C).
- Meanwhile, heat the sauce.
Presentation
- Serve the chicken with the sauce and a green salad that will bring some freshness to this spicy dish.