Smoked Zesty-Lemon Chicken
A little smoke, a little lemon, and a lot of bold garlic turn simple chicken thighs into the kind of grill-night centerpiece that brings everyone outside. The cedar-plank method is easygoing, aromatic, and made for serving with corn, slaw, and cold drinks.
Ingredients
Method
- Prepare a grill for indirect medium heat, about 350°F. Mix Zesty Garlic, Lemon Zest Garlic, Bacon Olive Oil, salt, and pepper into a loose paste, then rub it over the chicken.
- Set the soaked planks over direct heat for 3 minutes, until they begin to smoke. Move them to indirect heat and arrange the chicken on top with rosemary and lemon halves.
- Close the lid and cook for 55 to 70 minutes, until the chicken reaches 165°F and the skin is richly golden. If needed, finish briefly over direct heat for extra crispness.
- Rest 5 minutes, then serve with the charred lemon halves for squeezing over the smoky chicken.
Notes
Time: 115 min
Kitchen tip: Keep a spray bottle of water nearby for the planks. A little flame is normal; a flare-up is your cue to move the plank away from direct heat.
