Preheat the oven to 450°F (230°C).
Place the chicken breast side down and, using kitchen shears, cut on either side of the backbone to remove it.
Next, flip the chicken over and press inwards to pop the breast bone to flatten it.
Pat it down on all sides with a paper towel.
Lightly drizzle both sides with olive oil, and then generously season both sides with salt and pepper.
Set aside.
Now, place two equal-sized medium to large sized sauté pans over separate burners on high heat and let stand for 3 to 4 minutes.
Add 3 Tbsp of olive oil to one pan and place the chicken into it skin side down.
Turn over the other pan and drizzle the remaining olive oil over the bottom of the pan, then add it to the top of the chicken.
Next, place two bricks on top of the pan that have been wrapped in foil.
Sear the chicken over high heat, untouched for 5 minutes.
Transfer the chicken to the oven and cook it for 20 minutes.
Then, remove the bricks, flip the chicken over and return it to the oven uncovered for 10 to 15 additional minutes or until it is well browned and the thickest part of the breasts is about 160°F-163°F (71°C-73°C).
Remove the chicken and let it rest for 5 to 7 minutes.
Serve with optional chimichurri sauce.
Servings
Serves 4
Nutrition Facts
Nutrition Per Serving - Calories: 485; Total Fat: 32g (Saturated Fat: 8g); Cholesterol: 165mg; Sodium: 420mg; Total Carbohydrates: 0g (Dietary Fiber: 0g, Sugars: 0g); Protein: 45g; Calories from Fat: 288 (59%)
*Nutrition information is provided as a general estimate only. Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients, and is based on available nutrient data. Variations may occur based on ingredient brands and preparation methods.
💬 Uncle Dave says...
Pro Tips for Perfect Brick Chicken:
For extra juicy and crispy results, dry brine the chicken with coarse salt in the fridge for 6 to 12 hours before cooking.
Preheat your skillets for about 5 minutes to create the perfect high-heat searing environment.
No bricks? No problem! You can use a heavy skillet, or even a baking dish filled with pie weights.
As the chicken rests, it naturally reaches 165°F (74°C), locking in all those juices for extra tender, flavorful bites.
Grill Variation: You can grill the chicken under bricks instead. Preheat your grill to medium heat and place the flattened and seasoned chicken directly on the hot grill grates, skin side down. Place your foil-wrapped bricks on top and grill for 15 to 20 minutes. Flip and continue grilling until cooked through.
For even more flavor, marinate the chicken for 4 to 12 hours before cooking. Just be sure to pat the chicken dry with paper towels before searing.
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