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.

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🍗 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

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🔪 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.

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📦 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.
• 🌡️ Instant-Read Meat Thermometer – For perfectly cooked poultry every time.

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

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