Piri-piri Chicken

From: Steven Raichlen’s Barbecue Bible
Found on www.pepperfool.com

2 whole chickens (3-1/2 to 4 pounds each)
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
8 tablespoons salted butter, melted
1/3 cup fresh lemon juice
3 to 4 tablespoons Piri-Piri (recipe below) or other hot sauce
1 tablespoon sweet paprika
1 teaspoon ground coriander
3 cloves garlic, peeled
3 scallions, both white and green parts, trimmed and sliced
3 tablespoons coarsely chopped fresh Italian parsley
1 piece (1 inch) fresh ginger, thinly sliced
2 bay leaves, crumbled
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

Piri-Piri Sauce:
6 to 12 pimenta malagueta or other hot red chilies
1 teaspoon coarse (kosher or sea) salt
1/3 cup red wine vinegar
3/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup hot water

Spatchcock the chickens (see instructions below), then place them in a large, nonreactive bowl. Combine remaining ingredients in a blender and process to a smooth puree. Pour half this sauce over the chickens, coating them well. Refrigerate remaining sauce, bringing it to room temperature before serving time. Cover and let chickens marinate in the refrigerator for 4 to 12 hours (the longer the better). Use indirect grilling method (see box), placing a drip pan in the center. If using gas, cook on medium.

When ready to cook, oil the grill grate. Place the chickens, skin side up, on the hot grate, reserving any marinade in the bowl. Brush chickens with the marinade, then cover the grill and cook for 30 minutes. Uncover and brush chickens with marinade. Cover and continue grilling until juices run clear from thickest part of the thigh or until an instant-read meat thermometer inserted in thigh registers 180 degrees F. For crisp skin, place the chickens skin side down on the grate directly over the fire for the last 5 to 10 minutes. Using spatulas, carefully transfer chickens to a platter; let stand for 5 minutes before carving. Serve with the reserved sauce.

To Spatchcock a Chicken: Remove and discard the fat inside the body cavity. Rinse the bird, inside and out, then drain and blot dry with paper towels. Place the bird, breast side down, on cutting board. Using poultry shears, cut through the flesh and bone along both sides of the backbone. Cut from tail end to head end; completely remove the backbone. Open the bird like a book, gently pulling the halves apart. Using a sharp paring knife, pierce the top of the breastbone crosswise. Run your thumbs along and under the sides of the breastbone and attached cartilage and pop them out. Spread the bird out flat. For a more attractive bird, turn it over and, using a sharp knife, make a slit in the skin between the lower end of the breast bone and the leg, 1 inch long on each side. Stick the end of the drumstick on that side through the slit.

Piri-Piri Sauce
Makes about 1-1/2 cups

Thinly slice the chilies and combine them with salt and vinegar in a clean 1-pint jar with a lid. Cover and shake until blended. Add oil and water and shake again. Let sit, in a cool place, for a few hours or even days, so the flavors ripen. Taste for seasoning, adding more salt if desired. The sauce will keep, tightly covered in the refrigerator, for several weeks.

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