Grilled Oregano Chicken

A Mediterranean-inspired grilled chicken dish featuring a flavorful marinade of anchovies, garlic, and oregano, finished with a zesty olive and lemon sauce. The chicken is grilled until perfectly charred and served with tomatoes in chile-fennel oil.

4 servings
5 hr 10 min

Ingredients

  • 10 fillets oil-packed anchovy fillets
  • 4 cloves garlic
  • cups green olives
  • ½ cup olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon lemon zest
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • to taste Kosher salt and pepper
  • 1 small onion
  • ½ cup fresh oregano
  • 1 whole chicken
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 1 serving Tomatoes in Chile-Fennel Oil

Cooking Instructions

  1. 1.

    Toss anchovies, garlic, olive brine, olive oil, and lemon juice in a medium bowl; season with salt and pepper. Place half of anchovy mixture in a large resealable plastic bag; add onion and chopped oregano. Cover and chill remaining anchovy mixture.

    10 min

  2. 2.

    Season chicken with salt and pepper and add to bag, seal bag, and toss to coat. Let marinate 4-12 hours.

    240 min

  3. 3.

    Prepare grill for medium heat; generously oil grate with vegetable oil. Remove chicken from marinade, letting excess drip back into bag (a few pieces of onion and oregano still clinging are okay); discard marinade. Starting skin side up, grill chicken, turning occasionally, until lightly charred and cooked through, 30-40 minutes.

    40 min

  4. 4.

    Meanwhile, set out reserved anchovy mixture and let come to room temperature. Use the side of a chef's knife to smash olives, crushing and pitting them at the same time (smash again if very large). Add olives and lemon zest to anchovy mixture.

    15 min

  5. 5.

    Place chicken on top of Tomatoes in Chile-Fennel Oil and spoon anchovy-olive mixture around. Top with oregano leaves.

    5 min

  6. 6.

    Chicken can be grilled 4 hours ahead. Store at room temperature and assemble dish just before serving.