BBQ buttermilk chicken with charred courgette sauce
Buttermilk creates the juiciest chicken on the BBQ. It's delicious simply served in a bun, or try it with our smoky-sweet tomato and courgette sauce plus crunchy crumbs
- Total:
- Serves: 6 persons
Ingredients
- 300ml buttermilk
- 3tbsp vegetable oil
- 2tsp smoked paprika
- 2garlic cloves, crushed
- 1tsp crushed black peppercorns
- 2tsp sea salt flakes
- 6-8 skinless chicken thigh fillets
- 2medium courgettes, halved lengthways
- 2tbsp olive oil, plus a drizzle
- 1onion, finely chopped
- 2garlic cloves, sliced
- 4beef tomatoes, grated or finely chopped
- 150ml vegetable stock
- 2tbsp red wine vinegar
- 1tbsp runny honey
- 150g sourdough, whizzed to breadcrumbs
- 2tbsp olive oil
- ½lemon, zested
- 1tsp thyme leaves
- 1tbsp finely grated parmesan
Instructions
Step 1
Put all the buttermilk chicken ingredients, except the chicken, into a bowl and stir until combined. Add the thighs, toss to coat, cover and chill for at least 4 hours or ideally overnight – but you can leave for up to 48 hours.Step 2
Light a BBQ and let the flames die down about an hour before you want to cook on it, or heat the grill to high. Drizzle the courgette halves with a little oil and BBQ or grill for 10 minutes on each side until really smoky and charred. Leave to cool for a few minutes then finely chop.Step 3
Heat the oil in a frying pan and fry the onion for 10-15 minutes or until very soft. Stir in the garlic for a few seconds then add the grated tomato with all the juice from the chopping board, a pinch of salt and sugar. Simmer for 10 minutes until the tomatoes break down, then add the stock and courgettes. Simmer for 15 minutes until reduced. Season with more salt, pepper, vinegar and honey until you get a sweet/sour/smoky tomato sauce.Step 4
Toss the sourdough with the oil to coat well, and season. Fry in a dry frying pan over a medium heat until crunchy and golden. Tip into a bowl, leave to cool for a few minutes then stir in the thyme, lemon zest and parmesan.Step 5
Remove the chicken from the marinade, letting any excess drip off, then BBQ or grill for 6-8 minutes on each side or until charred and cooked through. Serve the chicken over the courgette sauce and scatter over the crumbs to serve.