Grilled Asparagus Chicken Calabrian (Printable)
Tender grilled chicken with charred asparagus and a spicy Calabrian chili sauce—ready in 40 minutes.
# What You'll Need:
→ Meats
01 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 6 oz each)
→ Vegetables
02 - 1 lb fresh asparagus, trimmed
→ Marinade
03 - 2 tbsp olive oil
04 - 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
05 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 1 tsp dried oregano
07 - Salt and black pepper, to taste
→ Calabrian Chili Sauce
08 - 3 tbsp Calabrian chili paste
09 - 2 tbsp olive oil
10 - 1 tbsp white wine vinegar
11 - 1 tsp honey
12 - 1 small shallot, finely minced
13 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
14 - Zest of 1 lemon
15 - Salt, to taste
# Steps:
01 - In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper until well combined.
02 - Place the chicken breasts in a shallow dish or a resealable plastic bag. Pour the marinade over the chicken, turning each piece to coat evenly. Allow to marinate for at least 15 minutes at room temperature, or refrigerate for up to 2 hours for more pronounced flavor.
03 - Preheat an outdoor grill or a grill pan to medium-high heat, approximately 400°F. Lightly oil the grates to prevent sticking.
04 - Toss the trimmed asparagus with a drizzle of olive oil, a pinch of salt, and a few grinds of black pepper. Set aside.
05 - Remove the chicken from the marinade, letting any excess drip off. Place the breasts on the hot grill and cook for 5 to 6 minutes per side, until golden grill marks appear and the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Transfer to a plate and let rest for 5 minutes before slicing.
06 - While the chicken rests, place the asparagus on the grill. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes, turning occasionally, until the spears are lightly charred and tender-crisp. Remove from the grill and set aside.
07 - In a small mixing bowl, combine the Calabrian chili paste, olive oil, white wine vinegar, honey, minced shallot, chopped parsley, and lemon zest. Stir until smooth and season with salt to taste. Adjust the heat level by adding more chili paste if desired.
08 - Arrange the grilled chicken breasts and charred asparagus on serving plates. Drizzle generously with the Calabrian chili sauce and serve immediately.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The Calabrian chili sauce is the kind of condiment you will want to smear on everything from scrambled eggs to crusty bread.
- It looks like you spent an hour but the whole thing comes together in about 40 minutes.
02 -
- Do not skip the rest period for the chicken because slicing too early turns juicy meat into a dry disappointment.
- Calabrian chili pastes vary wildly in heat between brands so taste yours before deciding how much to use.
03 -
- Pound the chicken to even thickness before marinating and you will never have one end dried out while the other is still pink.
- Make double the Calabrian sauce because you will absolutely want it on tomorrow's sandwich or stirred into scrambled eggs.