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Grilled Chicken with Olives, Rosemary, and Garlic

By America's Test Kitchen

Published on August 22, 2007

Time

1¼ hours, plus 3 hours marinating

Yield

Serves 4 to 6

Grilled Chicken with Olives, Rosemary, and Garlic

Ingredients

10 tablespoons olive oil 6 tablespoons lemon juice or balsamic, red, or white wine vinegar2 tablespoons minced garlic 2 tablespoons minced fresh rosemary 2 tablespoons olive paste (see related Quick Tip)Ground black pepper 1 whole chicken (about 4 pounds), cut into 8 piecesTable salt

Before You Begin

Chicken dripping marinade into hot coals can potentially catch fire. If you don't want to watch over the chicken as it cooks, you can build an indirect fire and roast the chicken on the grill.

Instructions

  1. Whisk first 6 ingredients together in a small bowl until marinade is combined. Place chicken in a zipper-lock bag or in a nonreactive bowl. Pour marinade over chicken and seal or cover. Transfer bag or bowl to refrigerator and marinate chicken, turning zipper-lock bag or stirring contents of bowl occasionally to evenly distribute the marinade, for at least 3 hours, 24 hours if possible.
  2. Heat grill. Remove chicken pieces from bag or pan and sprinkle with salt. Bring remaining marinade to a boil and set aside. Place chicken pieces, skin side down, on the hot grill rack. Cover and cook chicken over a medium-hot fire, turning once and brushing frequently with remaining marinade, until breasts register 160 degrees and drumsticks/thighs register 175 degrees, about 30 minutes.
Grilled Chicken with Olives, Rosemary, and Garlic

Grilled Chicken with Olives, Rosemary, and Garlic

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By America's Test Kitchen
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Time

1¼ hours, plus 3 hours marinating

Yield

Serves 4 to 6

Ingredients

10 tablespoons olive oil
6 tablespoons lemon juice or balsamic, red, or white wine vinegar
2 tablespoons minced garlic
2 tablespoons minced fresh rosemary
2 tablespoons olive paste (see related Quick Tip)
Ground black pepper
1 whole chicken (about 4 pounds), cut into 8 pieces
Table salt

Test Kitchen Techniques

Ingredients

10 tablespoons olive oil
6 tablespoons lemon juice or balsamic, red, or white wine vinegar
2 tablespoons minced garlic
2 tablespoons minced fresh rosemary
2 tablespoons olive paste (see related Quick Tip)
Ground black pepper
1 whole chicken (about 4 pounds), cut into 8 pieces
Table salt

Test Kitchen Techniques

Ingredients

10 tablespoons olive oil
6 tablespoons lemon juice or balsamic, red, or white wine vinegar
2 tablespoons minced garlic
2 tablespoons minced fresh rosemary
2 tablespoons olive paste (see related Quick Tip)
Ground black pepper
1 whole chicken (about 4 pounds), cut into 8 pieces
Table salt

Test Kitchen Techniques

Why This Recipe Works

We wanted to develop marinade recipes to add deep flavor to a variety of grilled foods. To keep the marinades from softening the meat during this long process, we determined that low-acid marinades (with some lemon or vinegar to balance flavors) were optimal. We then created several variations on our basic marinade recipe, along with a guide for the amount and marinating time, determined by the product.

Before You Begin

Chicken dripping marinade into hot coals can potentially catch fire. If you don't want to watch over the chicken as it cooks, you can build an indirect fire and roast the chicken on the grill.

Instructions

  1. Whisk first 6 ingredients together in a small bowl until marinade is combined. Place chicken in a zipper-lock bag or in a nonreactive bowl. Pour marinade over chicken and seal or cover. Transfer bag or bowl to refrigerator and marinate chicken, turning zipper-lock bag or stirring contents of bowl occasionally to evenly distribute the marinade, for at least 3 hours, 24 hours if possible.
  2. Heat grill. Remove chicken pieces from bag or pan and sprinkle with salt. Bring remaining marinade to a boil and set aside. Place chicken pieces, skin side down, on the hot grill rack. Cover and cook chicken over a medium-hot fire, turning once and brushing frequently with remaining marinade, until breasts register 160 degrees and drumsticks/thighs register 175 degrees, about 30 minutes.

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