Grilled Chicken Under A Brick

This show-stopping grilled chicken dish is sure to impress your summer dinner party guests! By weighing down the chicken breasts with bricks or heavy weights, you’ll achieve a juicy, evenly cooked main course infused with the aromatic flavors of garlic, rosemary, and thyme.

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh rosemary
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh thyme
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
• 4 bricks or weights (such as a heavy skillet or foil-wrapped rocks)

Instructions

Preheat your grill to medium-high heat.

Meanwhile, in a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, garlic, rosemary, thyme, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using).

Place the chicken breasts in a large dish and brush the garlic-herb mixture evenly onto both sides of the chicken.

Let the chicken marinate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 2 hours in the refrigerator.

Remove the chicken from the marinade, letting any excess liquid drip off.

Place the chicken on the grill and weigh down each breast with a brick or weight.

Close the grill lid and cook for 10-12 minutes.

Flip the chicken over, replace the bricks or weights, and cook for an additional 10-12 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.

Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before slicing and serving.

Notes

Make sure to use high-quality fresh herbs, as they will give the best flavor to your chicken.

If you can’t find fresh rosemary or thyme, you can substitute with dried herbs, but reduce the amount used to about one-third.

Don’t skip the marinating step, as it helps the chicken absorb all the flavors.

If you’re short on time, even 15-20 minutes of marinating will make a difference.

When grilling, make sure the bricks or weights are evenly distributed on the chicken breasts to ensure even cooking.

You can also use a heavy skillet or foil-wrapped rocks as weights if you don’t have bricks.

For food safety, always check the internal temperature of the chicken to ensure it reaches 165°F.

Letting the chicken rest before slicing will help the juices redistribute, making it more tender and juicy.

You can serve this dish with your favorite sides, like grilled vegetables, roasted potatoes, or a fresh salad.

Nutrional Value

• Calories: 340
• Total Fat: 18g
• Saturated Fat: 3.5g
• Cholesterol: 80mg
• Sodium: 450mg
• Total Carbohydrates: 2g
• Dietary Fiber: 0g
• Sugars: 0g
• Protein: 38g