Sizzling Rosemary Garlic Brick Chicken Recipe for Family Dinner

Have you ever craved a rosemary garlic brick chicken that promises restaurant-quality flavor right in your kitchen?

Crispy skin and tender meat come together through a clever cooking technique involving weight and pressure.

Generations of home cooks have perfected this method to ensure maximum juiciness and incredible flavor.

Mediterranean kitchens inspired this straightforward approach that turns simple ingredients into something spectacular.

Herbs freshly chopped and rubbed directly onto the meat create an aromatic experience that will make you feel like a professional chef.

Salt, pepper, and garlic work magic on each succulent piece of poultry.

Watching the chicken transform under a hot cast-iron skillet feels like culinary alchemy.

You’ll want to master this technique and impress everyone at your next meal.

Why Rosemary Garlic Brick Chicken Packs Bold Flavor

• Crush Kitchen Complexity: Master a professional-level cooking technique that transforms ordinary chicken into a restaurant-worthy masterpiece with minimal culinary skills required.
• Maximize Flavor Intensity: Develop deep, layered taste through strategic seasoning techniques like brushing herbed mixture under chicken skin and creating a vibrant gremolata that elevates every bite.
• One-Pan Wonder: Streamline your cooking process by using a single cast iron skillet for stovetop searing and oven roasting, reducing cleanup and maximizing kitchen efficiency.
• Bold Texture Play: Achieve perfectly crispy golden-brown skin through weighted cooking method while maintaining incredibly juicy meat inside, creating a stunning contrast in every mouthful.

Ingredients For Rosemary Garlic Brick Chicken

• Whole Chicken: A classic protein that provides a rich, flavorful base for this rosemary garlic preparation.

• Salt, Black Pepper, Garlic Powder, Onion Powder: A classic combination that enhances the chicken's natural flavors and creates a robust seasoning profile.

• Vegetable Oil, Melted Butter: These ingredients help create a crispy skin and add richness to the chicken.

• Rosemary, Parsley, Scallions, Mint: Fresh herbs that provide bright, aromatic notes and add complexity to the sauce.

• Red Wine Vinegar, Olive Oil, Lemon Juice: Acidic and rich components that balance and brighten the herb mixture.

• Garlic, Pepperoncini, Red Pepper Flakes: These ingredients add heat, tanginess, and depth to the gremolata sauce.

• Bricks, Aluminum Foil, Cast Iron Skillet: Essential tools for creating an evenly cooked, crispy-skinned chicken.

How To Cook Rosemary Garlic Brick Chicken

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven and Bricks

Crank the oven to a blazing 500°F. Wrap bricks in aluminum foil and slide them into the oven to get toasty hot.

Step 2: Transform the Chicken

Place chicken breast-side down on a cutting board. Use kitchen shears to slice out the backbone.

Flip the chicken over and press down firmly to flatten it completely.

Step 3: Create Flavor Mixture

• Vegetable oil
• Melted butter
• Salt
• Pepper
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder

Gently separate the chicken skin and brush the mixture underneath and over the skin.

Flip the chicken and coat the inner cavity with the remaining mixture.

Step 4: Sear and Press the Chicken

Heat a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat.

Add a touch of vegetable oil. Lay the chicken breast-side down in the skillet.

Place heated weights (wrapped bricks or another cast iron pan) on top. Cook for 15-20 minutes until the skin turns golden and crispy.

Step 5: Whip Up the Gremolata

• Rosemary
• Garlic
• Pepperoncini
• Red wine vinegar
• Red pepper flakes
• Salt
• Olive oil

• Parsley
• Scallions
• Mint

Finish with a splash of lemon juice and remaining olive oil.

Step 6: Roast to Perfection

Remove weights from the chicken.

Flip it breast-side up and brush with gremolata. Transfer the skillet to the oven.

Roast for 15-20 minutes until the internal temperature hits 165°F.

Step 7: Rest and Serve

Let the chicken take a 10-15 minute break.

Brush with extra gremolata before bringing to the table. Enjoy the juicy, herb-packed masterpiece!

Tips To Get Crispy Skin On Brick Chicken

• Wrap bricks or weights in aluminum foil to prevent direct contact with food and ensure even heat distribution.
• Choose a high-quality cast iron skillet for achieving the perfect golden-brown crispy skin on the chicken.
• Separate chicken skin carefully to create a pocket for seasoning, which helps infuse more flavor and keeps the meat moist during cooking.
• Allow the chicken to rest after cooking to let juices redistribute, ensuring each bite remains succulent and tender.
• Adjust gremolata ingredients according to personal taste preferences or dietary restrictions, such as using milder peppers or adding more herbs for extra freshness.

Flavor Swaps For Rosemary Garlic Brick Chicken

• Mediterranean Herb Fusion: Replace rosemary with oregano and thyme, add za'atar seasoning, and use lemon zest in the gremolata for a bright Mediterranean profile.
• Smoky Chipotle Version: Incorporate chipotle powder into the seasoning mix, swap pepperoncini with roasted poblano peppers, and add smoked paprika to the gremolata for deep, rich flavors.
• Asian-Inspired Rendition: Substitute herbs with ginger and green onions, use sesame oil instead of olive oil, and mix in soy sauce and rice vinegar for an Asian-inspired marinade and sauce.

What To Serve With Rosemary Garlic Brick Chicken

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: Select a zesty Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio to cut through the rich, herbal chicken flavors and complement the bright gremolata's tanginess.
• Create Herbal Side Salad: Toss mixed greens with fresh rosemary, mint, and parsley to echo the chicken's aromatic herbs, adding a light, refreshing counterpoint to the robust dish.
• Match with Roasted Vegetable Medley: Prepare Mediterranean-style roasted vegetables like zucchini, bell peppers, and eggplant with olive oil and similar herbs to harmonize with the chicken's intense flavor profile.
• Serve with Crusty Sourdough Bread: Use rustic bread to soak up the delicious gremolata and chicken juices, providing a perfect textural contrast and additional flavor absorption.

Storage Advice For Brick Chicken That Lasts

• Refrigerate: Store leftover chicken in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Separate chicken from gremolata to maintain crispy skin texture.
• Freeze: Wrap chicken tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 2 months. Place in freezer-safe container to prevent freezer burn. Label with date and contents.
• Reheat Oven: Preheat oven to 350°F. Place chicken in baking dish, cover with foil to prevent drying. Warm for 15-20 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F. Brush with reserved gremolata before serving.
• Microwave Quick: Place chicken on microwave-safe plate. Cover with damp paper towel to retain moisture.

Brick Chicken FAQs Made Easy

• Why use a brick when cooking chicken?

Bricks help press the chicken flat, ensuring even cooking and creating a crispy, golden skin by increasing direct contact with the hot skillet.

• Can I use different herbs in the gremolata?

Yes, you can substitute rosemary with thyme or oregano for a different flavor profile while maintaining the fresh herb essence.

• What if I don't have a cast iron skillet?

You can use a heavy-bottomed oven-safe skillet, but cast iron provides the best heat retention and creates an exceptional crispy skin.

• Is pepperoncini essential in the gremolata?

While it adds a tangy kick, you can omit it or replace it with a small amount of pickled jalapeño for similar brightness and heat.

Rosemary Garlic Brick Chicken Recipe

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4.5 from 12 reviews

• Total Time: 55-60 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Juicy rosemary garlic brick chicken promises a Mediterranean culinary adventure straight from Italian kitchens. Crispy skin and herb-infused meat deliver a simple yet sophisticated dinner that brings rustic charm to your table.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein:

• 3–4 lb whole chicken, butterflied and dried

Spices and Seasonings:

• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1 tablespoon mint leaves, chopped

Oils, Butter, and Liquid Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon vegetable oil
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted
• 3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

Herbs and Aromatics:

• 4 rosemary sprigs, roughly chopped
• 2 garlic cloves
• 1/4 cup parsley leaves, chopped
• 4 scallions, chopped
• 2 tablespoons yellow pepperoncini, chopped

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Instructions

1. Elevate oven temperature to a scorching 500°F (260°C). Encase bricks in aluminum foil and warm them inside the oven.
2. Transform the chicken’s anatomy by slicing out the backbone with kitchen shears. Spread the chicken open, flattening it decisively on the cutting board.
3. Craft a flavor-infusing blend of vegetable oil, melted butter, and aromatic seasonings. Gently separate the chicken skin, massaging the mixture underneath and overtop. Repeat the process on the inner cavity.
4. Ignite a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat, introducing a whisper of vegetable oil. Nestle the chicken skin-side down, crown it with heated weights. Sear for 15-20 minutes until the skin transforms into a golden landscape.
5. Simultaneously, conjure the gremolata: Pulverize rosemary, garlic, pepperoncini, red wine vinegar, red pepper flakes, and salt with olive oil into a fine consistency. Incorporate parsley, scallions, mint, and additional olive oil, pulsing to a rustic texture. Finish with a splash of lemon juice.
6. Liberate the weights, flip the chicken skin-side up. Lavish with gremolata and slide the skillet into the oven. Roast for 15-20 minutes until the internal temperature crescendos to 165°F (74°C).
7. Allow the chicken a peaceful 10-15 minute reprieve. Embellish with an extra drizzle of gremolata before presenting to eager diners.

Notes

• Maintain even thickness by thoroughly flattening the chicken to ensure uniform cooking and crispy skin.
• Use fresh herbs from your garden or farmers market for maximum flavor intensity and aromatic gremolata.
• Wrap bricks completely in multiple foil layers to prevent direct contact and potential chemical transfer during high-heat cooking.
• Allow chicken to rest at room temperature for 20-30 minutes before cooking to guarantee more consistent internal temperature and juicier meat.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 35-40 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Roasting
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 36 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 30 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 3 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 33 g
• Cholesterol: 110 mg