Recipe: Citrus Chicken on the Grill

Cary, NC — Chicken on the grill is a Spring classic. But this recipe for Citrus Chicken on the Grill is something special.

The Secret to Citrus Chicken on the Grill

Want to taste the citrus in your Citrus Chicken? The secret is to squeeze the juice onto the meat while it is grilling.

Many recipes for Citrus Chicken call for using the juice of both lemons and oranges.

In this recipe, however, we suggest Meyer Lemons. That’s kicking it up a notch.

Meyer Lemons

I recently got on a kick for Meyer Lemons when a saw a package of six at the grocery store. Usually, they’re an exotic item, hard to find and usually sold as singles for exorbitant prices.

But this bag was cheap, and plentiful, so I bought it.

The Meyer Lemon is a cross in flavor between a lemon and an orange. The fruit is generally smaller than lemons, but with a thinner skin.

Meyer Lemons are perfect for Citrus Chicken. But if you can’t find them, substitute lemons and oranges instead.

Ingredients: Citrus Chicken on the Grill

• Whole chicken, cut up. Or, a couple of packages of parts like leg/thighs.
• Olive oil – 2 tbsp
• Salt
• Pepper
• 4 Meyer Lemons (or 2 lemons and 2 oranges)

Directions: Citrus Chicken on the Grill

Par-boiled

I like to par-boil my chicken parts before throwing them on the grill. I hate bloody chicken. And it can be difficult to cook the chicken parts through-and-through on a hot grill without burning the meat.

If you’re like me, par-boil the chicken for 10 minutes prior to grilling and set it aside in a utility bowl.

Preparation

Coat the chicken with a little olive oil and salt and pepper to taste. Slice the citrus fruits in half.

Cooking

Place the chicken on a medium-hot grill – no open flames searing the chicken. Lower the grill if necessary.

Squeeze the juice of two citrus halves over the grilling chicken.

Use a spatula to keep the chicken from sticking to the grill. Flip it when the bottom starts to brown.

Squeeze two more citrus halves over the chicken.

Continue flipping the chicken and squeezing on citrus until the meat is thoroughly cooked.

Serving Suggestion

Serve on a plate of fresh spring greens with rice pilaf.

Goes well with a crisp white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or a growler of craft brewed beer.

Recipe by Hal Goodtree. Photos by Maggie Jane and Michael Saechang.

FoodCary is sponsored in part by Thai Spices & Sushi in Cary.