Poulet Bicyclette (Burkinabe Grilled Chicken)
Local name: Poulet bicyclette
In short: Free-range chicken marinated in lemon, onion, garlic and chili, then grilled until the skin is crisp, served with raw onions and tomato. It takes about 1 h 15 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 20 min
- Cook
- 55 min
- Resting
- 4 h
- Total
- 1 h 15 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Calories
- 520 kcal
Poulet bicyclette is the free-range chicken of Burkina Faso, grilled over charcoal and sold at open-air restaurants with raw onion rings, tomato and a hot pepper sauce. The birds are lean and firm, so a bright marinade of lemon, grated onion, garlic and chili does a lot of work. This version cooks on a charcoal grill, a gas grill or in the oven, and the marinade suits any whole chicken.
Instructions
- Mix the grated onions, garlic, lemon juice, oil, ginger, chili, salt and pepper into a loose paste. Rub it over the chicken and under the skin of the breast and thighs.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or overnight. Take the chicken out 30 minutes before cooking.
- Set up a grill for indirect cooking at about 190°C (375°F), with the coals banked on one side or one gas burner turned off. Wipe most of the paste off the skin so it does not scorch.
- Put the chicken skin-side up over the cool side, cover and cook for 35 to 40 minutes, until the thickest part of the thigh reaches 70°C (160°F).
- Turn the chicken skin-side down over the hot side and grill for 5 to 8 minutes, watching for flare-ups, until the skin is crisp and deep golden and the thigh reaches 74°C (165°F).
- Rest for 10 minutes, then cut into pieces. Serve with the onion rings, sliced tomato, lemon wedges and hot pepper sauce.
Tips
- Free-range chicken is leaner than supermarket chicken, so keep the heat moderate and take it off as soon as the thigh reaches 74°C (165°F). A larger bird needs more time, so rely on a thermometer.
- No grill? Roast the chicken on a rack at 220°C (425°F) for 45 to 50 minutes, then broil for 3 to 4 minutes to crisp the skin.
Questions and answers
Why is it called poulet bicyclette?
The name refers to free-range village chickens. It is often explained as a nod to their lean, athletic build or to the bicycles used to carry them to market.
How long should I marinate the chicken?
At least 4 hours and up to 24 hours in the fridge. Longer than a day and the lemon juice starts to make the meat firm and dry.
What do you serve with poulet bicyclette?
Raw onion rings with lemon and salt, sliced tomato and a hot pepper sauce, with fried plantain, fries, rice or tô on the side.
How long does it take to make Poulet Bicyclette (Burkinabe Grilled Chicken)?
About 1 h 15 min in total: 20 min of preparation and 55 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Poulet Bicyclette (Burkinabe Grilled Chicken)?
About 520 kcal per serving, with 44 g of protein, 11 g of carbohydrates and 36 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 520 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 44 g |
| Carbohydrates | 11 g |
| Fat | 36 g |
| Fiber | 3 g |
| Sugar | 5 g |
| Sodium | 1100 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
