1 Chicken / 2 Quick Dishes

GOURMET CENTRAL – Summer

Summer has arrived and temperatures are pushing into the mid-90s in most parts of the country. I find myself looking more and more for quick and easy recipes I can cook outside with minimal effort. You may read into that statement ‘armed with a glass of rose in hand’.  I want to share 2 quick and easy chicken recipes I make often this time of year: grilled chicken breasts basted with a fragrant preserved lemon and cumin butter AND my take on lemon and oregano chicken, or Greek chicken as it is widely known as. I serve both chicken dishes with tzatziki, the irresistible cucumber and yogurt salad perfect for hot days.

To make both recipes buy 1 chicken. Cut the breasts off and grill smeared with the preserved lemon and cumin butter. Use the legs, thighs, and wings for the Greek chicken.

Preserved Lemon & Cumin Butter

A quick and easy flavoured butter perfect for melting over chicken, lamb, fish, rice, and just about anything else.

Prep time: 5 minutes

INGREDIENTS

• 4 ounce sun salted butter room temperature
• 1 tsp espelette pepper
• 2 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp herbes de Provence
• 1/2 preserved lemon seeded and chopped fine

METHOD

Mix everything together.

Lemon Oregano Chicken

A quick and easy recipe for Greek Chicken

Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 45 minutes
Servings: 4

INGREDIENTS

• 2 cloves garlic chopped
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp sea salt
• 1 tsp espelette pepper
• 1 tsp herbes de Provence
• 2 tsp oregano
• 1/2 tsp turmeric
• 1 lemon zested and juiced
• 1 chicken cut into 8 pieces

METHOD

In a large bowl, mix the garlic, olive oil, salt, pepper, herbes, oregano, turmeric, and lemon together. Add the chicken and marinate for 2 – 4 hours. Grill over a moderate fire for 45 minutes, or until fully cooked.

This article appeared in the Summer 2021 edition of Life Begins At… Click here to read or here to subscribe and never miss an issue!