Pollo al Mattone: Tuscan Brick-Pressed Chicken with Crispy Skin

Pollo al Mattone, or “chicken under a brick,” is a Tuscan grilling tradition where chicken is flattened and cooked under the weight of a hot brick or skillet. The result? Incredibly crispy skin, juicy meat, and a smoky flavor that brings the Italian countryside straight to your table. You don’t need a brick oven—just a heavy pan and some good olive oil.

🍗 Ingredients (Serves 4)

1 whole chicken (about 3–4 lbs), butterflied (spatchcocked)
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp fresh rosemary, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
Zest of 1 lemon
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Optional: Crushed red pepper flakes, for a little heat
Lemon wedges, for serving

🔪 Instructions

Prep the Chicken:

To spatchcock the chicken, remove the backbone using poultry shears and press the bird flat. Pat dry.
In a bowl, mix olive oil, rosemary, garlic, lemon zest, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using). Rub this all over the chicken.

Heat the Grill or Skillet:

Preheat a grill or a heavy cast-iron skillet over medium heat.
Wrap a clean brick or another heavy object in foil (or use another skillet as weight).

Cook Under Pressure:

Place the chicken skin-side down on the hot grill or skillet. Place the wrapped brick or skillet directly on top.
Cook for about 20 minutes until the skin is golden and crisp.

Flip and Finish:

Carefully remove the weight, flip the chicken, and cook the other side for another 15–20 minutes, or until internal temp reaches 165°F (75°C).

Rest and Serve:

Let rest for 5 minutes before carving. Serve with lemon wedges and a drizzle of olive oil.

📦 Amazon Must-Haves for Pollo al Mattone

🧱 Cast Iron Grill Press or Foil-Wrapped Cooking Brick – Essential for that signature crispy skin.
🍳 12″ Cast Iron Skillet – Holds and distributes heat perfectly.
✂️ Heavy Duty Poultry Shears – Make spatchcocking safe and simple.
🍋 Citrus Zester and Grater Set – Brings that lemony zing to your marinade.
🌿 Tuscan Herb Olive Oil – Infuses deep Mediterranean flavor.
🌡️ Ins t ant-Read Meat Thermometer – For perfectly cooked poultry every time.

Pro Tip: Marinate the chicken overnight for even more flavor—and serve it with grilled vegetables or rosemary potatoes for the full trattoria experience.